The Importance of Ohio Health Care Documents During the Coronavirus Pandemic [UPDATED]

health care decisions estate planning

Health Care Decisions During The Coronavirus (COVID-19).

PUBLISHERS NOTE: In the rush of the holidays, please do not overlook the importance of helping your family members review their estate planning and health care documents. Doctors are urging people to take this important step! This blog, first published on April 11, 2020, demystifies durable health care powers of attorneys and living wills. For the sake of your loved ones, please don’t put this off.

Coronavirus: Health Care Durable Power of Attorney Covers All Health Care Decisions

health care decisions estate planningA COVID vaccine is coming. So is the beginning of winter.  While a reason for optimism for 2021 exists, the winter of 2020-2021 will be unusually dangerous, with the coronavirus running rampant. Experts are pleading that individuals have their estate planning documents in order, especially power of attorney for health care documents and living wills (advanced directives). With many long-term care residents unable to meet personally with their loved ones, it is more important than ever that those loved ones know the wishes of an individual and can act on their behalf.

DURABLE HEALTH CARE POA:

At least here in Ohio, by virtue of being a spouse or relative of someone does not give you … Read More... “The Importance of Ohio Health Care Documents During the Coronavirus Pandemic [UPDATED]”

Better Understanding the Importance of Ohio Health Care Documents During the Coronavirus Pandemic

health care decisions estate planning

Health Care Decisions During The Coronavirus (COVID-19).

PUBLISHERS NOTE: Due to these most difficult times, Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues is offering a 20% discount to new clients on all estate planning documents/services during the month of April. To read more about this offer, click here.

Coronavirus: Health Care Durable Power of Attorney Covers All Health Care Decisions

health care decisions estate planningThese are scary times.  These are stressful times.  These are uncertain times.  However, this is a time, more than ever, that we have to be prepared and educated as best we can for whatever the next few weeks or months have in store for us.  We have seen preparation in full force in the form of people stocking up on basic supplies in their neighborhood stores.  Hopefully, everyone is practicing social distancing.  We hope that, through social distancing and good hygiene (Remember to wash your hands often!), neither our loved ones nor us will get sick and this will pass.  However, we need to be prepared for the worst, which includes us or our loved ones becoming ill.  With that in mind, it is important to be educated as to the need and purpose of health care documents.

DURABLE HEALTH CARE

… Read More... “Better Understanding the Importance of Ohio Health Care Documents During the Coronavirus Pandemic”

The Guardianship Versus the Power of Attorney Conundrum in Ohio

Power of Attorney Guardianship

An Inexpensive General Power Of Attorney Document May Be All That You Need Instead Of A Guardianship

Power of Attorney GuardianshipMany times, I have been contacted by a client or potential client who requests to initiate a guardianship application for a family member because a doctor has diagnosed the family member with dementia and suggested that a guardianship was necessary.  However, this is not always the case and additional questions need to be asked and additional options need to be explored before reaching such a conclusion.

I always look at a situation such as this as reaching a fork in the road with two potential routes to take.

GUARDIANSHIP OPTION:

One route is a guardianship.  This is a legal proceeding involving the probate court in which a judicial determination must be made that the ward is not competent to handle his or her personal affairs.  There is a guardian of the person to take care of the individual and his or her own personal needs and a guardian of the estate to take care of the wards assets.  A guardianship should be the option of last resort.  It involves court costs and significant attorney fees, a background check of the applicant, bonding by … Read More... “The Guardianship Versus the Power of Attorney Conundrum in Ohio”