5 Important Legal Documents for Caregivers

Too often, legal decisions are put off, so make a plan to complete or update your important legal documents for caregivers. Start today!Preparing legal documents benefits everyone Eventually, your older adult won’t be able to manage their own legal matters and will rely on you to act in their best interests. Planning ahead allows your older adult and your family to have control of critical decisions. You wouldn’t want a stranger getting involved just because the proper legal paperwork wasn’t in place.  A starting point for caregivers We’ve put together a list of the legal basics caregivers should be aware of. These topics don’t cover every situation and shouldn’t be considered legal advice, but it’s a good starting point for those tackling “the legal stuff.” Get to know these 5 important legal documents for caregivers.

1. Power of attorney (POA)

• This allows your older adult to authorize someone to make legal decisions when they are no longer competent.
• POA also covers authority to make financial decisions

2. Durable power of attorney for health care (also known as a health care proxy)

• This allows your older adult to authorize someone to make all decisions regarding health care, including choosing health care providers, medical treatment, and end-of-life decisions.
• This power only goes into effect when your older adult is unable to make decisions for themselves.

3. Living will or advance directive

• This allows your older adult to state, in advance, what kind of medical care they do and do not want to receive.
• This also covers what life-support procedures they would not like to have.
• This is used when a person isn’t able to make their wishes known on their own.

4. Living trust

• This allows your older adult (the grantor) to create a trust and appoint someone (a trustee) to manage the trust assets when they aren’t able to manage their finances.
• A person or a financial institution can be the trustee.

5. Will

• Your older adult’s will names an executor and beneficiaries.
• The executor is the person who will manage your older adult’s estate at the time of death.
• Beneficiaries will receive the estate at the time of death.

What happens if you don’t plan ahead If no planning is done before your older adult becomes incapacitated, family members must ask a court to appoint a conservator or guardian. A conservatorship can be difficult for families because almost every action or decision on behalf of your older adult must be court supervised and approved.  Where to get started with legal documents For legal matters, hiring a lawyer is always recommended. It’s also smart to do your own research so you understand what’s happening. In addition, you can usually seek advice on legal issues from social workers or clergy, free of charge.Next Step >Learn more about each of these 5 important legal documents at Nolo  By Connie Chow, Contributing Writer and Founder of DailyCaring Image: Parkinson’s Resource Organization