Peace of Mind for New Moms and Dads
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
www.aaepa.com blog.aaepa.com
A brand new baby brings a special kind of chaos to your home. In the midst of sleep deprivation, midnight feedings, and seemingly endless diaper changes, estate planning is likely the last thing on your mind. And yet, making an estate plan is a relatively simple task that can bring an immense sense of security to your growing family. Here are the basics:
Guardianship
Your first order of business is to choose a guardian for your baby. For most parents, this is the toughest step in the entire process; however, it may also be the most important.
A guardian is the adult you name in your Will to take responsibility for your child in the event your child is orphaned before he or she reaches adulthood. You name your childs guardian in your Will. If you do not have a Will when you die, a judge will appoint a guardian for your child. The problem with this scenario is that the person appointed might not be the person you would have chosen. Without your input, the judge would love to make the decision without your guidance.
So, how do you choose a guardian? It can be helpful to sit down and make a list of your most trusted family members and friends, then narrow your choices based on factors such as:
- Parenting Style
- Religious Beliefs
- Lifestyle
- Educational Philosophy
- Location
- Current Family Size
For many parents, it is helpful to remember that the decision you make does not have to be permanent because, lets face it, circumstances change. For example, the guardian you choose when your child is an infant might move away by the time your child is in elementary school, or you might rethink your choice and settle on someone more suited to your childs emerging personality. You can always update your estate plan to designate a new guardian.
After youve settled on a guardian, youll want to take two additional steps. First, discuss your thoughts with the potential guardian before you make your Will. Youll want the person you choose to be prepared, willing, and able to take on this important task if the need arises.
Second, make sure the potential guardian has enough funds to care for and educate your child. Many young families find that the best way to accomplish this is with life insurance. And lastly, one of the most important ways you can plan for your babys future is to plan for your own and keep the following in mind when creating your complete plan.
Revocable Living Trust
A Revocable Living Trust is the cornerstone of many peoples estate plans. This flexible planning tool covers a number of scenarios. For example, a Revocable Living Trust lets you maintain maximum control over your assets while ensuring your finances are protected in case you become disabled. It also allows you to provide security and support for your loved ones after your death. One benefit of a Revocable Living Trust is that it allows your loved ones to inherit from you without the need for probate, its expense, delays, and publicity.
Financial Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney is a disability planning tool that lets you choose a responsible person known as an agent to manage any assets not included in your Revocable Living Trust.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
With a healthcare power of attorney, you can choose an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf. This planning tool ensures that a trusted friend or family member has the authority to direct your medical care if you are too sick or too severely injured to make decisions on your own.
HIPAA Release
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of your medical information. The law prevents unauthorized people from accessing and viewing your medical information. A HIPAA Release lets you name the individuals who should have access to your medical information.
As soon as you emerge from the baby fog, get in touch with an experienced estate planning attorney. He or she will tailor a plan just for your family so that you can relax and enjoy your journey as a new parent with peace of mind.
About Our Law Firm
The Law Firm of Flood & Masiuk, LLC is devoted exclusively to estate planning. We are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and offer guidance and advice to our clients in every area of estate planning. We offer comprehensive and personalized estate planning consultations. For more information or attend an upcoming seminar, please contact us at 215-322-6330 or visit us online at www.floodmasiuk.com.
About the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
This article is written by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. The Academy regularly publishes articles on various estate planning topics as a free resource to consumers. These articles are intended as an overview of basic estate planning topics and issues, and not legal advice. We recommend that you consult with a qualified estate planning attorney to review your goals.
The Academy is a national organization dedicated to promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research on estate and tax planning, educational materials, and other important resources to empower them to provide superior estate planning services to families in their communities. The Academy expects members to have at least 36 hours of legal education each year specifically in estate, tax, probate, and/or elder law subjects. Since 1993, the Academy has been a highly-regarded and sought-after resource for attorneys and consumers alike, and has been recognized by Consumer Reports, Suze Orman in her book, 9 Steps to Financial Freedom and numerous times by Money Magazine.
