WILLS
1. You need a will if you own any assets in your own name.
2. Your will should have an Estate Trustee ( executor ) and an alternate. The estate trustee
is the person in charge of carrying out the wishes in your will and seeing that all debts and
taxes are paid
3. You need to think of beneficiaries...persons who will benefit from your estate. If you are
married , who will benefit if you and your spouse die? And who will benefit if your
children also predecease you?
4. Are there any specific assets to go to a specific beneficiary?
5. If children are benefitting , do you want them to get everything at age 18?
6. If your children are under 18, who would you want to name as their guardian?
7. If one of your beneficiaries is having marital problems , how can you ensure that the “in
law” doesn’t get a portion of your estate?
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
A Power of attorney is a document whereby you appoint someone else to make decisions for
you while you are living...but unable to do so by reason of distance or incapacity
There are two types of Powers of Attorney and everyone should have both.
Continuing powers of attorney allow someone that you appoint to manage your financial and
property affairs.
Personal care powers of attorney allow someone that you appoint to manage your personal care
affairs including medical consents , housing , etc
1. Every power of attorney should name at least one attorney and an alternate. The word
attorney does NOT mean lawyer.
2. If you wish to place restrictions on your attorney , those should be inserted.
3. If you have certain medical wishes or personal care wishes , they can be included in your
personal care power of attorney.
4. If you have certain medical directives that you want carried out in the event of terminal
illness , or if you wish to allow for donation of your organs , these directives can be included
in your personal care power of attorney.
Come and see us and we can assist you with the preparation of a personalized will and power of
attorney that corresponds with your wishes and does not have to conform to a form that may have
been purchased .
