Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County Incapacity Planning Attorney

Helping Clients Plan for Their Futures in California

When most people think about estate planning, they think of creating a will or trust to plan for what will happen after they pass away. However, estate planning should also plan for the chance that you might become incapacitated and unable to handle your own affairs. No one likes to think of a possible catastrophic injury, terminal illness, or cognitive disorder, but if any of these occurs, you should know who will take care of your legal and financial affairs, as well as make important healthcare decisions for you.

If you have questions about how you might plan for possible incapacity, you should not wait to speak with an experienced Santa Ana incapacity planning lawyer. At the Law Offices of Roshni T. Desai, we help our clients create and update comprehensive estate plans that address their needs and goals. Call today to learn more.

Power of Attorney

If you experience a cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, who will pay your bills? Who will ensure that your financial affairs are handled if you are in a coma from a sudden car accident? Just because you cannot handle your financial and legal obligations does not mean that they go away – or even halt. It is important that you have someone ready and with authority to handle these matters.

A durable power of attorney allows you to designate someone to have the authority to access and manage your accounts, bills, and other obligations. Because it is “durable,” the authority persists even if you are incapacitated, and it only ends when you pass away or revoke the document.

Advance Health Care Directive

If you are incapacitated, you likely need substantial medical and/or daily care, though you will not have the ability to ensure you receive such care. Just like you can draft a power of attorney for your financial affairs, you can designate someone to be in charge of your medical decisions. You can also draft an advance health care directive, which outlines what you want for your medical care, and a living will that sets out your preferences for end-of-life care.

Long-Term Care Planning

Some people need long-term care at home or in a nursing home after becoming incapacitated. This is costly, and too many people use up their assets paying for care instead of leaving their estate to their loved ones. If you have savings, it can be difficult – or impossible – to qualify for Medicare or other benefits. The good news is there are ways to plan ahead to cover these costs without depleting your entire estate.

Contact an Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County Incapacity Planning Attorney for More Information

At the Law Offices of Roshni T. Desai, we know the importance of incapacity planning. We can review your situation and advise you of your options to plan for the future. Call 714-694-1200 or contact us online to speak with an experienced estate planning lawyer in California.