When most people think about estate plans, they think about documents that will be used by their relatives and the courts after they pass away. This is usually the bulk of an estate plan. However, some of the most important documents in an estate plan are actually legal instruments that are designed to be used while you are still alive. In fact, these documents lose all legal effect as soon as you pass away.
One of these documents is called a Health Care Power of Attorney. In this short, simple legal instrument you designate someone to make health care decisions for you if you are incapacitated and can not make the decisions for yourself. That is all that the document does. It should be obvious why this document is so important because it allows you to decide who to trust with your life and death health care decisions.
There are several other estate planning documents that are designed for use during your lifetime. They are an important part of estate planning that should not be overlooked. If you would like to learn more about them, make sure to follow our blog and to schedule an appointment with an estate planning attorney.
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