The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning - Before a Crisis!

If you were ever a Boy Scout, you remember the motto: Be Prepared.

You're not a Boy Scout or Girl Scout anymore. But it still makes sense to be prepared - especially where your health and your finances are concerned.

These are some important issues to discuss with your attorney - before a crisis.

FAMILY DYNAMICS: I always tell clients that, when considering long-term care needs, they need to consider family dynamics. Are there squabbles or resentments? If so, these will probably intensify in a crisis situation.

LEGAL ISSUES: Are your legal documents up to date? If so, you're in the minority. In addition to discussing inheritance issues, I always discuss with my clients any changes they may need to make in their will or trust. Family circumstances are always changing - births, deaths, divorces, self-destructive behavior by heirs, second marriages, etc. If your documents aren't appropriate for NOW, they're not appropriate - period!

THE DOCUMENTS - ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY, HEALTH SURROGATE, LAST WILL & TESTAMENT, LIVING WILL: Florida law is very specific. These documents have to meet legal requirements, and must leave no room for doubt. And if you try the do-it-yourself approach, they may not be recognized as legal.

ARRANGING FOR FINANCIAL DECISIONS TO BE HANDLED IF YOU CAN'T: If you don't do this, you're probably subjecting your family to a long and tortuous Guardianship proceeding in court. And if you don't do it right, you may be disqualified from receiving Medicaid or Veterans' benefits.

FIRST-STEP FINANCIAL ISSUES: How do I pay for long-term care insurance? Many people don't even realize they may be entitled to Medicaid or Veterans' benefits, or other resources.

CAREGIVER ISSUES: You'll need to know about community resources, housing options, caregiver options, Care Managers, etc.

No doubt you've got questions. We have the answers.

At The Law Offices of Alice Reiter Feld & Associates, we've been answering our clients' questions for the past 33 years. And we've answered them for thousands of South Florida families - about comprehensive estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, asset-protection plans, assistance with Medicaid or the VA...and long-term care planning.

If you've got questions, we've got answers. And we're just a phone call away.