The Will
Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do to make handling your estate the easiest possible process for your loved ones. Your family will thank you when it saves them time and money while they are grieving. Ensure you keep your Will up to date and in a safe place that is known and accessible by your executor. Everything you own is your estate and it is important to have it organized. Self-written Wills can be made but the risk of them being done incorrectly, or not holding up to the proper legal standards, is high. It is worth the cost to have your Notary Public prepare this document for you.
The initial appointment is approximately an hour of answering questions about yourself and your assets. This gives the Notary Public all the information they need to draft the document. The second appointment is to read over and make sure the Will properly portrays your wishes, is understood, and properly signed.
Power of Attorney
An appointment of Power of Attorney gives someone the authority to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf. They can make these decisions while you are capable or if you become incapable. This is also a useful document for use in many situations that are not age or accident related i.e., people who travel a great deal or spouses who work away from home. Financial matters can be taken care of in these circumstances where one party cannot be present. It is important to choose someone trustworthy and that can handle making financial decisions on your behalf. Getting a Power of Attorney once yourself or a loved one is incapable is a lengthy and expensive endeavour through the court system to become what is called a Committee. Avoid potential future difficulties for yourself and loved ones and prepare for the worst-case scenarios while you are still at your best.
Representation Agreement
In the case of personal and health care arrangements, this is the document you will need. It gives someone the ability to make medical and health care decisions on your behalf when you are incapable. You can have one or more persons named to communicate for you. Discussing possible treatments with Doctors, Hospitals etc., making decisions, and/or arranging care-home living, are examples of what this person will have authority to do when you cannot.