Frequently Asked Questions
Planning Questions
Durable Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney lets you name someone to handle financial matters if you cannot act for yourself. That may include paying bills, managing accounts, and handling practical financial decisions on your behalf.
Without it, your family may need court authority before someone can act on your behalf.
Patient Advocate Designation
A Patient Advocate Designation lets you name someone to make healthcare decisions if you cannot make or communicate those decisions yourself. That may include treatment decisions and end-of-life care.
Without it, medical decisions may be delayed or require court involvement.
Last Will and Testament
A will states who should receive property that passes through probate and names the person you want to serve as Personal Representative. It can also nominate a guardian for minor children.
A will does not control property that passes by beneficiary designation or joint ownership.
Revocable Living Trust
A Revocable Living Trust can hold property during your lifetime and name a successor trustee to manage trust property if needed. After death, properly connected trust property can pass without probate.
A trust works only when the right property is connected to it.
Beneficiary Designations
Some accounts and policies, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, can pass directly to the beneficiary named on the account. Those designations usually control even if your will says something different.
Keeping them current helps the plan work the way you intend.
Asset Alignment and Funding
Your documents need to match how your property and accounts are titled and how beneficiaries are named. When the pieces are not connected, a plan may not work the way you expected.
Common Concerns
Court Involvement
A court may become involved when no one has legal authority to act, when there is a dispute, or when property must pass through probate.
Planning ahead can reduce the need for court involvement, but it cannot guarantee that court will never be needed.
A Guided Process
It should not feel like you have to figure everything out on your own. We walk through the planning process with you, explain the decisions that need to be made, and help shape the documents around your family and goals.
Backup Decision-Makers
Your plan can name backup decision-makers if the first person you choose cannot serve. This may include successor agents, successor trustees, or alternate Personal Representatives, depending on the documents involved.
The goal is to make sure someone has authority when authority is needed.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
If no one has legal authority to act, a court may need to appoint someone. A guardian handles personal and medical decisions, while a conservator manages financial matters.
Planning ahead can reduce the need for court involvement and help keep authority in the hands of the people you choose.