Do I really need a will?
In our opinion, if you are an adult and part of a family, then you need an estate plan, which may include a will. Everyone’s situation is different. However, a will is often a good place to start. It allows you to control matters like who gets your property and who has custody of your children if you die.
Do I really need to pay an attorney to prepare my estate plan? Yes, although we may be a little biased. If you do not believe us, then please read the disclaimer on whatever website or software program you are thinking about using to prepare your estate planning documents.
What is a power of attorney? There are generally two types of powers of attorney: financial powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney. Financial powers of attorney allow another person to manage your finances. Health care powers of attorney allow another person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. Most people designate a family member as their “attorney” to manage their finances and make health care decisions for them if they are unable to do so for themselves. This handily beats the alternative of loved ones being forced into lengthy and expensive court proceedings under emergency and perhaps contested circumstances in an attempt to obtain a guardianship or conservatorship.
What is an advance directive and why do I need one? An advance directive lets you specify in advance what type of health care you want and do not want. For instance, most people have a general sense of whether they want to be resuscitated or not if they are in a permanently unconscious condition. It is generally a good idea to make these kind of preferences known to your family members and physicians in a formal document. That way, you can ensure that your wishes are carried out and that there is no guessing or arguing among your loved ones or treatment providers about whether to grant or withhold medical treatment.
