Have you recently received serious news in regard to your health? Are you facing a devastating diagnosis that has the potential to impact your life as you go forward? Are you now concerned about everything from being able to make the decision of who will be able to help you as you face this health care challenge? to who should have legal authority to make decisions if you become incapacitated? to, ultimately, decide how to protect your legacy and who should inherit from you at your passing? We can help you!
We are a Florida estate planning firm. We know the important discussions that need to take place as soon as possible as you face a health care issue.
A common misconception about estate planning is that the focus should revolve around the distribution of the assets (or wealth) at death. While this is true, it is only one of the many factors that estate planning should consider. A key aspect of estate planning should be planning for the unexpected or the undesirable during your life – be it a health crisis or incapacity. And because we are all susceptible to health-related issues, this means that estate planning should be of concern to all, with increasing concern as we age.
From the perspective of a Florida estate planning law firm, planning for a health crisis or incapacity is a must. Here in the sunshine state, approximately 21% of Florida residents are over the age of 65. Also, statistics show that an estimated 70% of persons over the age of 65 will experience some form of incapacity before passing away. These numbers are sobering for us (as a Florida estate planning law firm) because it clearly highlights the reality that when we prepare an estate plan for our clients, planning for health-related issues and incapacity must be part of the plan, commonly referred to as “advance health care directives.” For more information about Health Care Directives, you can visit our
Video Library.
The warm Florida year-round weather is an attractive lure for the many Floridians that are living a healthy, active, and successful life. This might explain why so many put off creating a Florida estate plan. However, when we speak to clients that have planned, they tell us that prior to engaging in the estate planning process, they had not realized the benefits of having a comprehensive Florida estate plan. Clients become keenly aware of what a well-designed comprehensive estate plan can do for them both now and in the future. Sadly, we have also seen the other side when clients come to us after a crisis without having planned ahead. In fact, when faced with a significant health care issue is when many adults start to question what the future of their lives will look like and the impact on their legacy.
If you are on the fence about whether estate planning is for you, here are some of the questions you should ask and answer, and properly document:
- If I am unable to pay my bills on time, who will?
- If I am incapacitated and cannot make my own healthcare decisions, who will?
- Is it time for a Florida living will?
- I have pets, who will care for them?
- I still run my business, who will continue it when I am not here?
- What will happen to my family when I am no longer here?
- When I pass away, who should inherit from me?
At Menendez Law Firm, we can assist you in answering all the above questions, and so many more, including questions about caring for those you love, planning for your legacy, and providing for yourself. This can all be accomplished when you create a well drafted and comprehensive Florida estate plan, tailored to meet your needs and address the unique concerns of you and your family.
In addition, a comprehensive Florida estate plan will allow you to answer lifetime, health-related questions in advance. For example, what treatments do you want to receive? What treatments do you not want to receive?
The details of a well-crafted Florida estate plan are many. These could include, but not be limited to, choosing trusted decision makers to act for you in a crisis, or when you no longer have the capacity to make your own decisions. You can give legal authority through your estate planning tools, such as a valid Florida power of attorney, to those you trust as well as name backups in the event they are not able to act for you when needed.
Whether you are facing a health care crisis, or if you simply want to be proactive, we can show you how, with a qualified and experienced Florida estate planning attorney, your Florida estate plan can be used to protect what matters most to you. For example, what do you wish to see happen in your business? How do you want your minor children to be cared for? How will you pay for your care? And, if you are unable to act for yourself, who should make these decisions for you?
Addressing these issues is a critical part of what your legacy will be. We know that legacy embraces more than just the concept of who will inherit from you when you pass away. Planning in advance is your opportunity to establish your legacy. At Menendez Law firm, our experienced Florida estate planning attorneys can help you define what your legacy looks like and ensure you have a plan in place to reach it.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers. And that is exactly what estate planning should do: create questions to allow you the opportunity to resolve in advance the many uncertainties that life can bring your way. For more information about
At Menendez Law Firm, we understand that when you protect what matters most to you, you will experience the peace of mind that you deserve. When thinking of the future regarding your property, it is essential that you have a law firm that you can trust to help you prepare everything you need. The expert attorneys at Menendez Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provide you with the highest level of professionalism and responsiveness to ensure you get the personal attention you deserve when planning out the future of your estate and so much more. Do not wait to
contact us today!