When people in Northern California decide to create an incapacity plan, they quickly come to realize that doing so can be a tremendous benefit for the not only themselves, but also for their families. Should you become incapacitated and lose the ability to make choices or communicate, your family will naturally be affected as well. Your sudden loss of abilities will be an emotional event for them, and one that will leave them less able to address the personal and practical realities that your incapacitation brings up. Here are two reasons why developing an incapacity plan can help your family.
An incapacity plan will tell your family what you want.
One of the hardest issues that your family will have to deal with if you become incapacitated is deciding what you want. How do you want your property managed? What kind of medical care and treatment you want to accept or refuse?
While it’s easy to answer each of these questions if you craft an incapacity plan, not having a plan will leave these questions unanswered. When faced with such unanswered questions, your family will have to make the important decisions for you.
On the other hand, if you take the time to craft an incapacity plan, you allow your family the reassurance that they are doing what you would have wanted. Your plan will make your choices clear and tell your family exactly what you do, and do not, want them to do when you’re unable to speak for yourself.
An incapacity plan will keep your family together.
One of the more devastating consequences of not having an incapacity plan is the potential for destructive family conflicts to arise. In some situations, incapacitated people can leave behind family members who could not agree on what the best course of action was. In some of these cases, family relationships deteriorated significantly because of the conflicts that ensued. Even though each family member will want what is in your best interests, not being able to agree on what those best interests are can ruin family ties.
If you are going to create an incapacity plan, do it right. Work with an experienced and qualified estate planning attorney.
In the worst possible situation, family disagreements about what to do on your behalf if you become incapacitated will lead to courtroom battles. These battles can be lengthy, costly, and lead to permanently damaged or broken relationships.
Simply by having an incapacity plan in place and telling your family what you want, you can avoid most of these types of conflicts. While some conflicts might be unavoidable, your plan will give you peace of mind in knowing that you have done everything you can to help keep your family relationships intact.
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