When people in the Port St. Lucie, Florida area create an estate plan, there are a lot of issues and questions they will have to answer. Your estate planning lawyer will guide you through the process of creating an incapacity plan that meets all appropriate legal requirements. However, your attorney cannot tell you what your decisions should be. You will have to ask yourself a variety of questions and come up with your own answers when you make an incapacity plan. To that end, we have developed this list of tips that can help you through the process.
Incapacity Planning Tip 1. Do some homework.
To many people beginning the incapacity planning process, a lot of the terms and issues you have to confront will be completely new to you. Other issues might seem simple, but could be more complex than you realize. Regardless of your background, many of the issues you will have to confront in the incapacity planning process will require you to do some homework. You want to make sure that you research the questions enough so that you become comfortable in making a knowledgeable decision.
For example, you might want to talk to your doctor about the medical issues surrounding incapacity planning. Understanding the specific medical conditions you might one day face, the treatment options available to you, and what your choices will mean for you and your family can be an essential step.
Incapacity Planning Tip 2: Take time for reflection and thought.
Even if you know the legal and medical realities surrounding your incapacity plan, there is another component to developing these plans that a lot of people don’t always anticipate. Many of the questions you might have to confront will involve some deeply held personal beliefs. If you are troubled by the religious, spiritual, or ethical implications of any of these questions, you should allow yourself some time to reflect on them so you can arrive at an answer with which you are comfortable. In some situations, resolving these types of questions is simply a matter of researching the question in more depth. In other situations, you might want to consult an advisor, friend, spiritual guide, or clergy member for assistance.
Incapacity Planning Tip 3: Choose your representatives with an eye toward practicality.
Your incapacity plan will allow you to appoint people who will be able to represent your interests should you be incapacitated. Always consider the practical limitations involved in this role before you make your decision. For example, choosing someone who lives across the country might not be as good a choice as choosing someone who lives closer to you and your family.
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