Are you wondering whether you need a Florida estate plan now that you have been diagnosed with cancer? In fact, estate planning is critical for everyone. The importance of an estate plan ranges from being able to make the early choice of who will be able to care for you in a crisis to who should have legal authority to make decisions when you are incapacitated to, ultimately, deciding who should inherit from you at a time when you are no longer here. These are each important conversations that will take place when you work with your Florida estate planning attorney. In spite of the fact that less than half of all Americans today have an estate plan, it is very important to have an estate plan in our daily lives.
Even though many of us may choose to ignore the benefits of estate planning and what it can do for us when we are healthy, unfortunately we have seen firsthand this concept change dramatically in light of a negative healthcare diagnosis. When facing a significant health care issue such as cancer, for example, we begin to take into consideration what the next chapter of our lives will look like. We begin to consider looking into answers for questions such as:
- If I cannot pay my bills, who will?
- Who will be sure I have access to government benefits?
- If I am in a coma, who will make my healthcare decisions?
- Is a Florida living will necessary?
- Who should inherit from me at the time of my passing?
- Who will care for my pets?
- How can I ensure my business will continue when I am not here?
- Who will make sure my bills are paid on time?
- How can I make sure my family is provided for in my absence?
Know that estate planning answers these questions, and so many more when it comes to caring for those you love, for planning for your legacy, and for providing for yourself.
Your Florida estate plan will allow you to answer all your lifetime questions in advance. Questions that may include, but not be limited to, choosing trusted decision makers to act for you in a crisis when you no longer have capacity to make your own decisions. You can give legal authority through estate planning tools, such as a power of attorney, to those that you trust as well as name back ups in the event they are not able to act for you when needed.
When you are facing a cancer diagnosis, careful estate planning considerations can also work hand-in-hand with your health care plan. For example, what treatments do you want to receive? What treatments do you not want to receive? What do you want to see happen in your business? How do you want your minor children to be cared for? How will you pay for this care? And, if you are unable to act for yourself, who should make these decisions for you?
In addition, your estate planning will enable you to also create your legacy. This is more than just the concept of who should inherit from you at the time you pass away. This is your opportunity to share your dreams for those who will inherit from you and your goals for your legacy. Your experienced Florida estate planning attorney can help you define what your legacy looks like and ensure you have a plan in place to reach it.
We know you may have questions about this, and many other, estate planning issues. At the Perlin Estate Planning & Probate our credentials enable us to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to our legal services. By building relationships with our clients, we are also able to understand each client’s needs and desires, and we support such goals through thoughtful, comprehensive planning techniques. We encourage you to contact us and schedule a meeting.