Health Care Alternatives
Is there a HEALTH CARE Power of Attorney?
Yes! This is a document that gives a person the right to make health care decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to act for yourself, and works in the same way as the regular Power of Attorney. This person acts as your "medical agent", who can authorize such things as your admission to hospitals, consent to medical treatment, or authorize the release of medical records.
What about a Living Wills?
These are very popular. The "correct" term for these is Advanced Health Care Directives. These are documents that outline your wishes as to medical treatment, should you be unable to make decisions at the time they need to be made. When you hear people talk about not wanting life support (or wanting life support), this is how they make sure that their wishes are followed. YOU make the decision and your decision is final. This is yet another estate planning technique that gives you control over your life. Like the other estate planning techniques, this is a good thing to have.
WHAT ELSE DO WE DO HERE?
Estate Probate
We can also probate your estate at death. When you die, someone must tend to your affairs. This includes paying any outstanding bills, collecting all of your life insurance, advising your executor or administrator, distributing your assets, paying any outstanding taxes and filing the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Returns and the Federal Tax Returns, if necessary. We do it all.
Medicare, Medicaid, Medical Assistance, Social Security
Another very important aspect of estate planning, especially for the elderly, is the concern over Medicare, Medicaid and Medical Assistance. Issues often arise as to whether one can qualify, how to obtain these benefits and one of the biggest concerns, whether the assets in the estate will be affected. We would be glad to help you with these and other questions or concerns you may have when creating an estate plan. We want you and your estate to be protected!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, or fill out the form attached and bring it in!
"Where there's a WILL, there's a way!"
"TRUST your estate!"
