Orlando Estate Planning
The Kramer Law Firm in Longwood, Florida, understands the importance of protecting our clients' dignity, privacy, and ability to control their own lives. Anyone who values these ideals should have an estate plan that includes powers of attorney or a living will.
Powers of attorney and living wills allow individuals to delegate important decisions involving medical care and financial considerations to someone they trust. Essentially, these underestimated documents allow people to determine how to control their finances and healthcare, and end of life concerns with dignity and privacy. To learn more visit our Estate Planning FAQ or call us today at 866.716.4288 or 407.641.0268.
After an initial consultation, our estate planning lawyer will craft an estate planning package with you that may include power of attorneys or a living will.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a document that allows a person, the principal, to appoint another individual as their agent. This agent, who is also called an attorney-in-fact, can perform certain authorized acts on behalf of the principal. These acts may range from dealing with bank records, or signing checks to important healthcare decisions, depending on the circumstances. Powers of Attorney may grant broad authority to the agent, or may limit the authority to certain particular situations. Because of the wide discretion of authority that may be granted through a Power of Attorney, they are a useful estate planning tool. Contact the Kramer Law Firm to draft a power of attorney and schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney.
Durable Powers of Attorney
Generally, the authority granted under a Power of Attorney terminates when the principal becomes incapacitated. A durable Power of Attorney remains in effect if the principal becomes incapacitated or mentally incompetent. One of the benefits of a durable Power of Attorney is that it allows you to prepare for the possibility that you may be unable to manage your financial, medical, or personal affairs. What happens if you are in a car wreck and you lose consciousness? A durable Power of Attorney provides a safeguard.
Another important function of a durable Power of Attorney is that it may you help avoid a future guardianship proceeding if you are incapacitated. A guardianship is a Court proceeding in which the Court appoints someone, who may be a stranger, to handle your personal or financial affairs. Guardianships may also place an additional financial burden on your family. Meet with an attorney at the Kramer Law Firm to discuss the advantages of a durable Power of Attorney, and the possibility of guardianship.
Powers of Attorney for Medical Care
A Power of Attorney for healthcare allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you, in the event that you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to make medical decisions. This may be an especially useful tool to assist in obtaining medical records. The greatest advantage of a Medical Power of Attorney is that it allows people to maintain control over their destiny, and allows you to appoint a loved one to make medical decisions, rather than relying on hospitals and policy. Contact an estate planning attorney at the Kramer Law firm to draft a medical power of attorney.
Living Will
Do you want to be kept alive artificially? Do you want to remain on life support if you are in a vegetative state? Depending on your beliefs, a Living Will is often the single most important estate planning tool. A Living Will allows you to dictate the terms of your end of life. The Living Will essentially is a written expression of your wishes relating to the use of extraordinary measures to extend your life when there is no reasonable expectation that you will regain consciousness or recover.
Powers of Attorney for Financial or Property Transactions
You may also utilize a Power of Attorney to allow you agent to assist in handling your finances in the event that you are unable to. If you were in an auto accident tomorrow, who would write out your bills, pay your rent, or file your taxes? If you are ever incapacitated, a Power of Attorney is an essential estate planning tool for your financial well being; unfortunately, once you are incapacitated it is already too late. Plan ahead with the Kramer Law Firm.
Conclusion
At the Kramer Law Firm we believe that the purpose of estate planning is to you're your family money, while preserving your dignity, privacy, and ability to control your life. If you have questions about powers of attorney or other estate planning tools, contact an estate attorney at the Kramer Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
Contact a Florida an Estate Planning Lawyer at the Kramer Law Firm
Make sure your instructions are clear and that you maintain control over your life. Contact a Florida estate planning attorney at the Kramer Law Firm at 866.716.4288 or 407.641.0268 in Longwood, Florida, to discuss your estate planning needs.
