The focus of elder law is protecting the rights of seniors by implementing the necessary legal documents. The effort you put into future decision-making now can help to ensure that your wishes will be upheld and your rights will be supported when the time comes. Discuss your related concerns with an experienced Waco elder law attorney today.  

Making the Right Decisions for You in Advance

Planning for your later years is an important matter that allows you to make critical decisions about your future medical care as well as your assets, the distribution of your estate, and other financial issues. For example, without the necessary estate planning tools in place, your loved ones may not receive everything you intended them to. And the involved process can be much clunkier, more costly, and less private. 

This is not to mention the fact that someone whom you would not have chosen may be awarded the authority to make critical decisions on your behalf. The future is uncertain, but implementing solid estate planning tools helps to ensure that your wishes will prevail in terms of the health care you receive and the legacy you leave.

The Legal Essentials

As you move forward toward the future, there are several elder law basics to keep in mind.

A Will

Your will plays a fundamental role in your estate plans. To begin, it identifies an executor – or the person you trust to ensure that your estate is handled according to your wishes. Your will is also your opportunity to nominate the appropriate guardian for an adult child with disabilities.

Having a well-considered will in place can help streamline the probate process and can provide you with the peace of mind you are looking for regarding how your estate will be distributed. Without a will, the laws of intestacy in Texas will determine the division of your assets.

Powers of Attorney for Financial and Healthcare Decisions

When you put a power of attorney (POA) in place, it establishes that the person named has the authority to make critical decisions on your behalf. This can include, in relation to your medical care, which is called a medical POA, or in relation to your finances, which is called a financial POA, and you are well advised to have both. Each affords the person named the authority to make critical financial or medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are incapacitated. 

Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care is associated with immense expense, which makes putting some thought into long-term care planning in your best interest. The basics include the following:

• Aging in place with healthcare assistance in your home
• Moving into an assisted living facility
• Addressing the cost of nursing home care if required

Comprehensive estate plans include long-term care planning.

Discuss Your Estate Planning Needs with an Experienced Waco Elder Law Lawyer

Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard is an accomplished Waco elder law attorney who has the experience and skill to implement plans that afford you the confidence you seek. Learn more by contacting or calling us at 254-781-4222 and scheduling a free consultation today.