Estate Planning Red Flag – You don’t have a health care power of attorney

Description

Abstract: What happens if illness, injury or age-related dementia renders a person unable to make decisions or communicate their wishes regarding their health care or financial affairs? Unless their estate plan addresses these situations, the family may be forced to seek a court-appointed guardian. This article explains the importance of creating a health care power of attorney, which appoints a representative to make medical decisions on behalf of a person who is incapacitated.