Why You Need a Life Care Plan and a Lawyer to Help

When we are healthy and everything is going well, we don't like to dwell on the possibility of disaster, illness, or misfortune. But by addressing the issues that could cause us trouble later in life, we minimize the likelihood that a catastrophic event will thwart all our plans.

Even if you are convinced that you need a plan, you may not know what you need and how to ensure that everything is in place, legally speaking, so that your plan is carried out. Enter the attorney, also known as a life care planner.

What Is a Life Care Plan?

Most of us are familiar with the concept of a will -- this dictates a person's wishes after they are deceased. Not everyone dies with a will, and there are contingencies in place in the law for people who die intestate. But there are also lawyers who can help you to plan for contingencies when you're living.

Ideally, you and your loved ones will discuss your desires before something bad happens. You need to consider health care and treatment and associated finances, especially. The following are just a few of the many questions you might discuss with family members, whether partners, parents, or children:

• Are there limits to care beyond which you do not want to go?
• Do you have a health care agent?
• Are there any kinds of treatment you oppose?
• What about long-term care?
• Do you have requirements for the type of facility in which you would prefer to be treated?
• If you are disabled, would you wish to stay home and have treatment there, full-time?
• If so, is that option available to you financially?

Many estate planning attorneys also create life care plans for their clients, ensuring that in the case of disability, people receive the quality and type of care they need. They work with clients to cover all the bases, so that you have contingencies in place for almost any eventuality, in life or death.

Consult With Counsel

Your lawyer will talk to you about your concerns, your circumstances, and the various contingencies that will impact your decisions as you formulate a life care plan for yourself or your family. If you or someone you know is concerned about long-term care for family, or would just like to ensure that your estate is structured in such a way as to provide for you should anything occur, speak to a lawyer. Talking to an expert and exchanging about your needs will enable you to better understand exactly what kind of life care plan will work for you and your family.

Related Resources:

• Browse Estate Planning Lawyers by Location (FindLaw Directory)
• Ten Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Estate Planning and Probate Dictionary (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Living Wills: Introduction (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)