Legal planning for disability or death can be confusing and difficult. However, this process is critical for all adults, especially those who have minor children, who are unmarried, who have significant assets or who have children with special needs.
The attorneys of Jerner & Palmer, P.C. can advise you regarding the particular documents appropriate to your situation that can provide protection for you, your family and your property in the event of your disability or death.
Contact Jerner & Palmer, P.C. to discuss wills and testamentary trusts, financial powers of attorney, healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, mental health powers of attorney and standby guardianship designations.
Wills and Testamentary Trusts
A Will sets forth your wishes regarding who should receive your property after your death. In your Will you may name the person who will be in charge of administration of your estate after your death. Administration of an estate is the process of collecting the deceased person's assets, paying his or her debts as well as any inheritance, estate and/or income taxes that may be due and distributing property according to the deceased person's wishes. If you have minor children, you may designate in your Will the people you wish to nominate as guardian to take care of your minor children in the event of your death and as trustee or custodian to act as the caretaker of property left to a minor child.
Durable Financial Powers of Attorney
A Financial Power of Attorney is a document in which you name the person who will handle your finances if you are sick or injured and unable to communicate your wishes and make decisions.
Durable Healthcare Powers of Attorney
A Healthcare Power of Attorney is a document in which you name the person who will advocate for your care, consult with your doctors about your care and decide your course of medical treatment if you are sick or injured and unable to communicate your wishes and make decisions.
Living Wills
A Living Will is a document in which you state your wishes regarding life-sustaining measures in the event that you are in the end stages of a terminal illness or are in a persistent vegetative state.
Standby Guardianship Designations
The designation of a standby guardian allows a parent or legal guardian to authorize a co-guardian to assume the care of a child upon a triggering event, such as the parent's incapacity, debilitation, or consent. The guardianship can go into effect during the parent's lifetime and can continue for a short time after the parent's death.
Mental Health Powers of Attorney
A mental health power of attorney allows you to designate a health care agent to make certain decisions on your behalf regarding mental health care. This document also allows you to make decisions in advance about the types of mental health treatment you desire in the event that you become incapable of making mental health care decisions for yourself. Such decisions include the use of medications, participation in studies or drug trials, and admission to a treatment facility. In New Jersey these documents are called Advance Directives for Mental Health Care.
For more information call us at (215)843-6000 or at (856)817-6030 or fill out our Contact Form.
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