Important Aspects Of Estate Planning

It is essential to delegate someone who can handle your affairs if you become injured or incapable of managing them yourself.  Failing to identify a power of attorney or advocate who acts on your behalf can have unintended consequences. In particular, decisions about your medical care or estate could be left to the court instead of a trusted loved one.

Too many people erroneously assume that an immediate family member can just step in and make the necessary financial and health care decisions on their behalf. On the contrary, it is not typically this straightforward. That is why appointing a guardian is very important and is one of the most crucial aspects of estate planning.

While these matters typically apply to appointing a caregiver for a minor, courts also assign guardians to manage the affairs of adults who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care. The estate attorneys at Donnellon, Donnellon & Miller in Cincinnati have extensive experience with such cases and are ready to assist when the courts appoint a guardian for you.

It is the job of probate attorneys to advise their clients to take power of attorney into consideration before a life-changing emergency happens. Most individuals would like to keep their loved ones from having to experience the anguishing, time-consuming, and expensive court processes of securing a guardian. Securing a durable power of attorney in advance of a life-changing event gives a trusted individual specified powers to act on your behalf so that you and your affairs receive the property care and oversight.

Updates in Adult Guardianship Laws in Ohio

An estate attorney will make sure you know the changes to the Rules of Superintendence in the State of Ohio, which pertain to adult guardianship. These updated rules state that guardians appointed after June 1, 2015, must attend six (6) hours of initial training on the fundamentals of adult guardianship. Appointees must also complete two (2) hours of continuing education annually. Hamilton County is one of the few counties in Ohio that exempts family members from these mandates.

The unexpected can happen to anyone. Discussing power of attorney and other estate-related issues with an attorney can help you prepare if you become incapacitated or too ill to care for yourself or your affairs. To take charge of your estate planning, schedule a consultation with an experienced Cincinnati estate planning attorney at Donnellon, Donnellon & Miller. You can use our contact form or call us at (513) 891-7087 today.