As you create an estate plan, you may feel overwhelmed by all the information available. Whether you’re thinking about a future need for assisted living care in OKC or want to ensure your wishes are followed regarding end-of-life care, we’re proud to share this guide to help you through the process.

Work with a Qualified Attorney

No matter how straightforward your estate planning may seem, it’s always best to work with a qualified estate planning lawyer. They understand the laws and ensure every document you create is legally binding. They can help you address your senior assisted living needs and help you appoint a power of attorney to help you manage things if you become debilitated. Even if you draft your estate plans yourself, it’s always beneficial to allow an experienced attorney to look it over.

Choose the Right Power of Attorney

There are several types of powers of attorney you may need to consider. Your financial power of attorney can access your funds and help you manage your finances, even if you live in assisted living communities in Oklahoma City. You should choose someone who is financially responsible and likely to follow your wishes. Trust is a critical factor when choosing any power of attorney.

Complete a Legal Will and Trust

Many seniors write down where they want their belongings and assets to go when they pass away, but this isn’t always enough. You need a legally binding will and trust to ensure everything goes according to plan. These legal documents reduce stress for your loved ones while they’re grieving. An estate planning attorney can help with this step as well.

Appoint Your Beneficiaries

You most likely have an idea of who you want to receive your assets and other parts of your estate after you pass away. However, it’s essential to name these beneficiaries specifically to ensure your estate goes to the right people. While it may seem obvious that your assets should go to your next of kin without a legally binding designation, others may dispute the case and take assets away from the person you want to receive them. 

Keep Everything Organized

Your estate planning will include many documents, including your will and trust, power of attorney papers, insurance policies, bank account statements, titles, loan documents, and much more. It’s critical to organize all of these papers and protect them in a safe. Choose a trusted family member to know the location of these documents, so if something happens, someone will always know where to find the necessary documentation to carry out your wishes.

File an Advanced Healthcare Directive

Assisted living communities in Oklahoma City recommend you have an advanced healthcare directive on file. This directive details all your wishes regarding your medical care. For instance, if you don’t want resuscitation, this information should be in your advanced healthcare directive. Talk to your family members about what you want to ensure everyone is on the same page if you cannot express your wishes.

If your estate planning includes assisted living care in OKC, contact us to learn about our services.