Financial And Health Care Estate Planning
If you were gravely injured, your family members and physicians would need direction. If your mental faculties declined severely, someone would have to take charge of your affairs. If you were in a coma or other suspended state, the question of life support would come up.
If the unthinkable happened, would your loved ones know your wishes and have the legal authority to step in?
At the law firm of Palmer Lehman Sandberg, PLLC, we help clients address these scenarios through powers of attorney and health care directives. By proactively addressing essential estate planning considerations, we can help protect your interests and spare your loved ones from difficult decisions.
Establishing Durable Powers Of Attorney And Health Care Powers Of Attorney
In conjunction with drafting a will that sets forth your wishes upon death, and in some cases one or more trusts, we can customize the following documents to reflect your needs and goals:
- A durable power of attorney gives a preappointed person the authority to act on your behalf if you are incapacitated. The attorney-in-fact can pay your bills, manage your account, and act in your stead in transactions and legal proceedings. Establishing statutory powers of attorney often prevents expensive and confrontational guardianship proceedings.
- A health care power of attorney empowers a spouse, adult child or other trusted person to view your medical records, consult with doctors and make medical decisions on your behalf if you are not conscious or able to communicate.
- A directive to physicians, also known as a living will, details your specific wishes regarding heroic measures (resuscitation, infusions), life support (artificial breathing, feeding tubes) and end-of-life care (pain medication, last rites).
- Guardianship nomination declares who would care for your minor children if both you and the other parent died or became incapacitated (subject to court approval).
Powers of attorney are especially important for same-sex partners who do not enjoy the same presumptions under the law as married couples. We can address these issues as part of a domestic partnership agreement.
Get Sound Advice To Make Difficult Decisions And Protect Your Loved Ones
Attorneys Alan Leibel and Robert Hemphill have over 35 years of experience in estate planning and probate matters. To arrange a consultation with one of our Dallas lawyers about living wills and powers of attorney, simply call 214-242-6444 or email our firm.