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Brain disease and estate planning for long-term interests

On Behalf of | May 19, 2020 | Estate Planning |

Certain types of brain diseases have the ability to rob a person of his or her ability to think, function normally and even make everyday decisions. If you have recently received a diagnosis of a brain disease or a loved one has, you know there may be a day in the future that will require difficult medical and financial decisions. This is why it is important to plan for the future with a strong estate plan.

Estate planning can be difficult for some because they do not want to consider what will happen if they are unable to care for themselves or think about what will happen after they pass. These are not easy decisions to make, but it’s in your interests to draft certain documents, especially if you have a brain disease. It’s your body and your assets, and you have the right to decide what will happen to both.

Think long-term

Some aspects of estate planning do deal with what will happen to your assets after you pass, but there are plenty of decisions you can make now that will benefit you months or years down the road. If you have a degenerative disease, there may be a point where you are unable to express your wishes regarding your medical care.

Through certain types of estate planning documents, you can outline what type of care you want, decide medical interventions you will accept and even name someone to act on your behalf. When thinking about these things, consider the nature of your specific illness, the estimated rate of progression and potential long-term effects. This will help you end up with an accurate estate plan suitable for your specific needs. You can also set aside funds to use in the event your disease leaves you disabled.

Your mind, body and financial well-being

Having a brain disease is frightening, but you can still maintain control over certain things. While you may not be able to control what happens to your mind or body, you can have control over what happens to your money and how people care for you. Estate planning can give you peace of mind and keep your family from having to make difficult decisions on your behalf.

There is no time to lose in making sure you have the estate planning protections you need for your specific medical concerns. Working with an experienced New Jersey attorney can help you avoid problems and get the tools you need to be able to look to the future with confidence and peace of mind.

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