Estate Planning for Emergencies
Emergencies don’t wait until we’re ready. They can strike at any age and stage of life, and at Wakefield Law, we work with clients to make sure that if something unexpected occurs, the right people step up at the most critical time. This post will focus on two critical documents, the Power of Attorney and an Advance Medical Directive. These are not just for the elderly or wealthy. They are essential tools for everyone.
What Are These Documents?
Power of Attorney (POA):
This legal document allows you to appoint someone you trust to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf if you're unable to do so yourself. This could include paying bills, accessing bank accounts, managing property, or dealing with government agencies and benefits.
Advance Medical Directive (also known as a Living Will or Healthcare Proxy):
This outlines your preferences for medical care if you're incapacitated and unable to make decisions. It also allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for you.
Why These Documents Matter at Any Stage of Life
It’s a common misconception that these documents are only necessary if you have a large estate, substantial financial holdings, or dependents that rely on you. The truth is, they serve a much broader and more critical purpose:
Medical emergencies can happen to anyone. A car accident, sudden illness, or unexpected surgery could render you unable to communicate. Without an Advance Medical Directive, your loved ones may be left scrambling to make medical decisions without knowing your wishes—or worse, they could be legally barred from doing so.
Financial and legal matters need quick action. Even if you don’t have investment portfolios or real estate, someone may still need to access your bank account to pay rent, utilities, or deal with insurance matters. A POA ensures someone you trust can act quickly and efficiently on your behalf.
Avoid court involvement. Without these documents, your family may need to go through a time-consuming and costly court process to be granted guardianship or conservatorship just to handle basic affairs. A POA and Advance Directive eliminate that burden.
Protect your autonomy and wishes. These documents give you control over who will make decisions for you and how those decisions should be made. Without them, those decisions could fall into the hands of someone you wouldn’t choose—or even a court.
Peace of Mind for You and Your Loved Ones
No one likes to think about the possibility of being unable to make decisions for themselves. But taking the time now to set up a Power of Attorney and Advance Medical Directive provides peace of mind—for you, and for your loved ones—knowing that your affairs and medical care will be handled the way you want.
Let Us Help You Prepare
At Wakefield Law, we work with clients of all ages and financial backgrounds to create comprehensive, personalized Powers of Attorney and Advance Medical Directives. These documents are straightforward to prepare but incredibly powerful when you need them most.
Don’t wait for a crisis to make these critical decisions. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and ensure that you—and your family—are prepared for whatever life may bring. 703.771.9740