Items to Address with Your Estate Planning Attorney

Our previous article explored some reasons why you should discuss a will or Revocable Trust with your Florida estate planning attorney.  We also covered the importance of designating a health care surrogate.  Today, we will look at two more basic items you should address with your estate planning attorney.

Durable Power of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) gives another person the legal authority to sign documents and make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated and/or unable to do so. Some of the tasks your DPOA may perform on your behalf include paying bills, applying for governmental benefits, manage accounts and investments, handle real estate matters and legal matters and more.

Living Will

A Living Will, also referred to as a Health Care Directive or Advance Directive, is a document drawn up by your estate planning attorney which designates and outlines the withholding or withdrawal of artificial life prolonging procedures when a physician determines there is no reasonable expectation or probability of recovery. Your estate planning attorney can explain what this means in detail and provide some examples. Florida law requires a Living Will to be signed in the presence of two witnesses. Witnesses must not be a blood relative or spouse.

If you need either an estate planning lawyer or a probate attorney in The Villages area, look no further. Remember, not all Florida estate planning lawyers take time to personally sit down and get to know their clients. The personalized approach we take here at Pittman Law Office is what makes our probate attorneys and estate planning attorneys different from most. Give us a call to schedule a consultation today!