Are You An Adult Child Of Aging Parents In Clearwater? Encourage Them To Get Their Legal Affairs In Order

Talking about estate planning and end-of-life issues can be awkward, but if you are an adult child with an aging parent in Clearwater, do not delay this discussion. Without the proper legal documents in place, your parents face serious risks, including the loss of their independence, any say in what happens to them, and property and assets they worked hard to earn.

Our Clearwater elder law attorney has decades of experience helping local families in these cases and explains the steps needed to protect your parent’s best interests, well-being, and overall health.

When Older Parents Wait Too Long to Plan For The Future

Estate planning helps protect your property and assets, now and in the future. However, many older adults delay creating an estate plan in Clearwater, putting conversations about money or end-of-life issues off to an unspecified later date. Unfortunately, this can have negative ramifications for them and their adult children.

Delaying these conversations and not putting the appropriate legal documents in place can leave your parents vulnerable if the unexpected happens. Problems that may result include:

• Not having a power of attorney could result in guardianship proceedings, in which others get appointed to manage your parent’s affairs;
• Without advance directives, their medical wishes may not be honored;
• Not planning ahead, could leave you and your parents paying long-term care costs out-of-pocket while depleting all their assets;
• Not having a will prevents property and assets from being distributed according to their wishes and could leave their estate tied up in Pinellas County Probate Court proceedings for months or years after their death.

What Legal Documents Do Older Parents In Clearwater Need?

The National Institutes of Health encourages all older adults to plan for the future. Putting an estate plan in place provides peace of mind, helps ensure your parent’s wishes are honored and prevents disputes among your siblings or other family members.

When discussing estate planning in Clearwater and end-of-life issues, encourage your parents to put the following legal documents in place:

• Durable Power of Attorney: This allows someone your parents trust to manage their finances and legal affairs if they are unable to.
• Healthcare Surrogate Designation: Names someone to make medical decisions if your parent can’t.
• Living Will: States your parent’s wishes for life-sustaining treatment.
• Last Will and Testament: Ensures assets get distributed according to your parent’s wishes.
• Medicaid Trust: Helps offset long-term care costs, avoids probate, and allows more detailed distributions among beneficiaries.

Consult Our Experienced Clearwater Elder Law Attorney Today

Bringing up estate planning and end-of-life issues with aging parents is awkward but vitally important in protecting their well-being and financial security. To discuss your options and the legal documents your parents need, contact Clearwater elder law attorney William Rambaum.

Certified by the Florida Bar and the National Elder Law Foundation, he’s provided caring, comprehensive legal services to Clearwater residents for over 40 years. For trusted help in creating a personalized estate plan for your parents, reach out and schedule a consultation today.

Sources:

mypinellasclerk.gov/Home/Probate-Mental-Health

hnia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/getting-your-affairs-order-checklist-documents-prepare-future