Estate Planning for Retirees

When Baby Boomers think about estate planning, they generally consider the basic estate planning documents, such as a will, healthcare directive and financial power of attorney. However, what most retirees do not consider is how to prepare for disabilities or long-term care.

According to data obtained in a 2007 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1.46 million home health care patients on any given day in the U.S. While these patients tend to be age 65 and over, not all patients had estate planning documents in place. Nearly half of these patients needed assistance with daily living activities, such as bathing, eating, getting dressed or care for cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s.

The costs of in-home care and long-term care are staggering. Private rooms in nursing homes in Texas average $78,000 per year, while those in Florida cost more than $91,000. Having estate planning documents that address disability and long-term care is important, and Jeffrey B. Bock is an experienced attorney with the necessary knowledge to help you structure these types of plans.

What Type of Estate Planning Documents Do Retirees Need?

• Planning for Disability– Your estate planning documents should thoroughly address disability issues that may arise. If you become disabled, you may or may not be able to make financial and personal decisions. If you have not granted someone legal authority to make these decisions for you, you may find yourself faced with a court-appointed guardian for your financial and medical issues.
• Long-Term Care– Americans are living longer than ever, which means the need for long-term care facilities is significantly increasing. Unfortunately, long-term care can be costly and financially draining. If you are a retiree, it is essential to grant your agent broad powers of attorney, including funding a revocable trust to help ensure that you and your assets are cared for correctly and that the money you need for long-term care is available if required.

Contact Us to Discuss a Personalized Retiree Estate Plan

In the event of a disability or necessary long-term care, do not leave your family and loved ones in a financial bind by not having proper estate planning documents in place. To learn more about how to properly plan for your later years, please call 281-962-8529 in Texas or 561-392-8788 in Florida or request an initial confidential consultation online. When you meet with Jeff, he will review your current estate plans, including discussing long-term planning issues that may arise and how to adequately address those, ensuring that you can make informed decisions about your estate.