Compliments of Our Law Firm,
Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
When hiring an estate planning attorney, you expect this person to help you get all your ducks in a row. It is essential to work with a local attorney who will be able to set up a plan for you that is tailored to your particular concerns and needs. One specific area that requires attention when creating your plan is your service providers.
What is a “service provider”? This covers a wide range of individuals who provide services in your day-to-day life. Should you become incapacitated or are unable to communicate with them, it’s important to make sure your Trustee or other responsible party is able to do so on your behalf. When you have all your service providers listed in your estate plan, the task of contacting the appropriate parties becomes much more manageable.
Let’s take a look at the different types of service providers you might have:
Household Providers
People typically have several companies they work with when it comes to the maintenance and care of their home. In the event that you become incapacitated or are absent for any reason, it’s reassuring to know that your home can continue to function as you intended.
At the same time, there are tasks that may no longer be needed. Having a list of all your household providers in one location makes the task of contacting each party to cancel any unneeded services much easier.
Some of the most common types of household providers include:
- Cable
- Computer/internet support
- Gas & electric
- Gardening
- Grocery/Water delivery
- Housekeeping
- HVAC maintenance
- Pet sitting
- Pest control
- Pool maintenance
- Vehicle maintenance
- Telephone
Medical Service Providers
Have you included the contact information of your medical service providers in your estate plan? If not, you should do so because this information is valuable if you should ever require immediate medical attention and are unable to reach out on your own.
Below are some of the many medical service providers you may include on your list:
- Chiropractor
- Counselor
- Dentist
- Massage therapist
- Ophthalmologist
- Physical therapist
- Primary care physician
- Psychologist
Personal Service Providers
In addition to the above, there are personal service providers you might want to include, such as:
- Childcare provider
- Hairdresser
- Home care provider
- Transportation provider
- Tutors
Other Information to Add
When compiling this list of providers, make sure to include all essential contact information such as phone, email, and physical address.
If you have a regular arrangement with these professionals, such as a housekeeper or a gardener, make note of this as well. If you have any service contracts or documentation that may need to be referenced in the future, it is also helpful to include them.
Having this list in your plan will allow your loved ones to have everything they need to take care of you and your estate.
