We all prefer to make our own decisions in life, something we spend 18-20 years learning, before mum and dad reluctantly hand over the reins, and we are now responsible for our actions. While not all of us make the best choices in life, we still demand the right to decide what we do and where we go, and as a person approaches old age, there are things that need to be considered. While many elderly people reach their nineties and are still mentally sound and can make decisions that ultimately affect their lifestyle, some people lose a portion of their mental capacity, and with common diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia, it is wise to make provisions, and with lasting power of attorney, a trusted family member can make decisions on their behalf.
However, in order to ensure that there is no foul play involved and to confirm consent, it is advisable to seek a commissioner of oaths who can verify the authenticity of the individual’s consent and affirm the validity of the lasting power of attorney. This additional step can help safeguard the elderly against potential abuse or mismanagement of decision-making authority. By documenting the individual’s intentions and ensuring that it’s legally recognized, both the family members and the individual themselves can have peace of mind.
Comfort in Our Later Years
You have led a very productive life and as the time approaches for retirement, your thoughts should turn to yourself, and your immediate and future needs. As the breadwinner of the family, you have made many sacrifices to help family members achieve their goals, and with a successful career behind you, it is time to take a look at the future.
An important part of preserving your personal finance includes framing a will, which entails how your estate, properties, and other assets are to be distributed after your passing. For that, you’d want to reach out to a professional who is well-versed in the process of estate planning. He or she could give you the advice you need to understand how you should go about it, as well as inform you about the costs of probate in Florida, or wherever you may be.
We all trust our own judgement, but what if we become unable to think logically and analyse our options? What if there are changes made to the laws exercised by the local government body? These are developments that may happen in the future which could affect your ability to pass down your wealth to your future generations. This is why it is important to make the necessary documentation for your will and estate plan beforehand.
Lasting Power of Attorney
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) gives the authority to an appointed person, to make any decision on your behalf, and with your best interests at heart, they would exercise this right in accordance to how you would. Of course, the appointed person would be chosen by you, and only this person has the right to make any decisions regarding your welfare. It might be a relocation, for example, if an elderly person has reached the point where they require daily assistance, the LPA allows that trusted family member to look at all the options, which would include live in help, or a retirement village, and the decision would be theirs alone, ensuring the best solution is found.
That said, those who are in dire need of daily assistance or other senior living options near Monroe Township, New Jersey, can consider The Chelsea at Forsgate as a choice. The highly caring professional staff who are known to be available 24/7 at this senior living community are known to provide the assistance elders need and desire. For gathering more information regarding the services provided by the senior living center mentioned above, you can visit their website here.
Choosing the Right Time
Exactly when the LPA begins would be entirely up to you, and you can also decide exactly what the LPA consists of, in terms of the power to make decisions. Lasting power of attorney gives an elderly person the flexibility to entrust decision making to a nominated person, who might be your partner, or perhaps your eldest child, at any time and to any degree. There does come a time when a person realises their mental capacities are not what they used to be, and if you had the foresight to set up an LPA, you can rest assured that your best interests will always be paramount.
If you would like to talk to an expert about LPA and how it can be best utilised for you, an online search will lead you to a reputable legal firm who can help with every aspect of will writing.
