Every Maryland resident needs to make an estate plan while he or she is still alive. The need is even more pronounced for people who have some type of brain condition. For them, an estate plan is the means for them to obtain care as their situation progresses and help them make the decisions necessary at that stage in life.
An estate plan is more than just deciding who gets what property after death. There are also powers of attorney and advanced care directives that can help a person make his or her wishes known when he or she can no longer effectively speak for him or herself. In addition, people may struggle to make financial decisions when their comprehension skills start to decline, leaving them at risk of exploitation or simply making the wrong financial choices.
Furthermore, someone with a brain condition may need special care if the problem worsens. This can include medical care and other assistance with the activities of daily life. To make sure that money is set aside for this purpose, an estate plan can include a trust. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all estate plan, and the provisions of the plan depend on the specifics of the person’s condition. However, the costs and risks of not creating an estate plan can lead to additional stress for the family.
An estate planning attorney may help a family with their advance plans that they will need as the situation changes. A lawyer could suggest different options to the family and also advise them on what plan may be right for them. Then the attorney might draft the relevant documents for the person’s signature and ensure that they are on file for when they may be needed in the future.