| Powers of
Attorney |
Powers of Attorney
are designed to protect your property, money and living arrangements as well as your
personal care needs and other life choices should you become incapacitated. Powers of
Attorney allow you to appoint someone you trust to avoid possible government or other
unwanted intervention in your financial and personal life. They give you control over what
happens if you become incapable of making your own decisions. There are 2 types of Powers of Attorney to be concerned
with:A Continuing Power of Attorney For Property relates to the management of your assets
and finances when you are incapacitated. A Power of Attorney For Personal Care deals with
your health care, nutrition, shelter, clothing, hygiene and safety decisions when you are
incapacitated.
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| Estate
Planning and a Will |
Estate Planning
allows you to protect your finances and those you love, including your assets, children,
or your straight, gay or lesbian partner. If your partner dies and you were not married,
you have no automatic right to inherit your partner's property. Estate Planning provides
the opportunity to reduce the costs of administrating your estate as well as taking
advantage of any tax savings available. It will also ensure that your gay or lesbian
partner is not left out of your estate altogether. When you die without a will, the law
says exactly who may inherit your estate, that is all the things you own at a particular
time. It gives you control over what happens when you die and ensures that your wishes are
followed for passing on items with special meaning to you, and that your burial or funeral
wishes are respected. A Will also allows you to appoint someone you choose to be the
guardian of your children should you die before they reach adulthood. Sound financial and
life planning includes looking after your possessions and yourself, as well as your loved
ones, should you become unable to do so. Everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, over
age 18, should have in place a valid Continuing Power of Attorney For Property, Power of
Attorney For Personal Care, and Will.
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