Estate Planning In Tampa: Addressing Long-Term Care And End-Of-Life Issues
Estate planning in Tampa helps to protect you and your loved ones in case of unexpected events. It details your wishes in the event of your death and helps ensure the people you love are provided for in the aftermath.
Having a Tampa estate plan also helps in navigating serious issues that are likely to arise over the course of your life, such as the need for long-term and end-of-life care. Our Tampa estate planning attorney explains documents you can put in place to address these issues and make a difficult time a little easier for family and friends.
Assessing The Need For Future Long-Term Care
A will is one of the most basic yet important estate planning documents. It details your wishes in the event of your death, acts as a guide through Hillsborough County Probate Court proceedings, designates beneficiaries, and details how property and assets should be divided between them.
However, our Tampa estate planning attorney encourages clients to also consider documents that protect them and their loved ones over the course of their lives. The Administration for Community Living (ACL.gov) advises that roughly two-thirds of all people over the age of 65 are eventually going to require some assistance as they get older in dealing with illnesses, chronic health conditions, and limited abilities. This may include:
- Help getting to and from doctor visits;
- Home health aides;
- Live in nurses and other support staff;
- Stays in long-term care and nursing home facilities.
Paying for these services can quickly wipe out any savings you have accumulated over the years. A Medicaid trust protects against this situation. By transferring assets into a trust, you become eligible for Medicaid. This allows you to get the services you need while preventing you from paying out-of-pocket.
Including Advance Directives In Your Tampa Estate Plan
Discussing end-of-life issues in advance helps you and your family be better prepared. In addition to ensuring long-term care costs are covered, it is important to put advance directives in place.
In the event of any type of medical emergency that leaves you unresponsive or otherwise unable to communicate, advance directives provide a guide for medical providers. They dictate the types of medical care you wish to receive and address how life-threatening situations are handled. Advance directives we can help you put in place include:
- A healthcare power of attorney, authorizing someone you trust to make major medical decisions on your behalf;
- A living will, which details your wishes regarding end-of-life medical care;
- Do not resuscitate orders, which dictate how you want life-threatening situations to be handled.
Request A Consultation With Our Tampa Estate Planning Attorney Today
Long-term care and end-of-life planning help to convey your wishes and make a difficult time a little easier for family and friends. At Strategic Counsel Law Group, L.C., we provide the trusted legal guidance you need to put the appropriate documents in place. To discuss your options, request a consultation with our Tampa estate planning attorney today.
Sources:
hillsclerk.com/court-services/probate-guardianship-and-trust
fhca.org/media_center/long_term_health_care_facts
medicaid.gov/
quality.healthfinder.fl.gov/report-guides/advance-directives
