Morris Hall, PLLC

Estate Planning Attorneys

MakePayment with multiple options
CALL NOW: 1 (888) 222-1328
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Morris Hall
    • Attorneys
    • Our Team
    • Morris Hall Core Values
    • Communities We Serve
      • Arizona
        • Carefree
        • Flagstaff
        • Mesa
        • Oro Valley
        • Phoenix
        • Prescott
        • Scottsdale
        • Sedona
        • Tucson
    • Career Opportunities
  • Estate Planning Services
    • Advanced Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection
    • Power of Attorney
    • Trust Administration and Probate
    • Wills and Trusts
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Do I Need an Estate Plan?
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Phoenix Elder Law
      • Tucson Elder Law
    • Estate Planning Problems
    • FAQs
    • Probate Resources
      • Probate
      • Flagstaff Probate
      • Phoenix Probate
      • Sedona Probate
      • Tucson Probate
    • Published Books
      • Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing home
      • Tax Free Money for Long-Term Care!
    • Recent Law Changes and Improvements Affecting Arizona
      • Update My Living Trust
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • What to Do When Death Occurs
      • What Not To Do When Someone Dies
      • Who To Contact After A Loved Ones Death
  • Reviews
    • Testimonials
    • Review Us
  • Locations
  • Events
    • Seminars / Webinars
    • Past Webinar Recordings
  • Contact
    • Consultation Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Discounts

Planning for the Worst-Case Scenario, 8/1/2012

Planning for the Worst-Case Scenario

 Written by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Compliments of Morris Hall

 Estate planning is one of those things that’s easy to put off. We don’t like to think about death – particularly our own – so we put it out of our minds. “What’s the worst that can happen?” we ask ourselves. We’d like to think that the answer to that question is that, even if we didn’t create an estate plan, we’d be off the hook. We’d be gone, so we wouldn’t have to deal with the consequences.

This answer is partially true. When you die without an estate plan, you hurt those you love by causing them unnecessary confusion, expense, and delay in settling your affairs during an already emotional time. Not a great outcome, but not technically your problem.

But there’s a catch: Failing to create an estate plan can hurt you while you’re still alive.

Imagine that as you age, you start to develop Alzheimer’s. The disease progresses quickly, and before you know it, you can’t remember to pay your own bills, balance your checkbook, or manage your normal household chores — let alone keep track of all the doctor’s appointments and medications you’re now faced with. Someone has to step in and ensure your health and finances are taken care of. Without a comprehensive estate plan, someone needs to go to court to be appointed your guardian.

In the best case scenario, your family members agree on who should serve in this capacity. In this situation, the initial process takes some time and involves some court costs and attorney’s fees. It also means that your guardian is obligated to report to the court on a regular basis and obtain court permission before making certain decisions on your behalf. It also means that the public, including your nosy neighbors, knows all about your legal affairs.

But what if your family members don’t agree on who is best suited to serve as your guardian? Then the court process takes on a different character. Guardianship disputes can be time consuming, expensive, and emotionally exhausting for everyone involved. They often open old family rifts, and they can create new rifts that last a lifetime.

This isn’t what any of us want for ourselves or our families. How can you avoid the exhaustion and expense of a guardianship battle – not to mention the destruction of family relationships that can go along with it? One of the simplest things you can do is to be proactive. Create a comprehensive estate plan that anticipates not only your death, but also the possibility that you’ll become disabled during your lifetime.

Using a Revocable Living Trust, you can remain in charge of your assets unless and until you become incapacitated. If the need arises, a Successor Trustee chosen by you can step in and manage the Trust property according to your express instructions.

In addition to a Revocable Living Trust, you’ll want a Financial Power of Attorney. This lets you put a trusted person in charge of any assets not transferred into your Trust, ensuring that all of your property is managed according to your wishes and that none of your assets slip through the cracks.

You should also sign a set of healthcare documents appointing someone you know and trust to make medical decisions on your behalf and expressing your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment in the event you become incapacitated.

This type of comprehensive estate planning helps you avoid the worst-case scenario. It allows you to rest assured that, should you become disabled, your family members will not have to guess at your wishes. Instead, people you trust will be in charge of carrying out the plan you put in place for yourself. An experienced Morris Hall estate planning attorney can help you put things in order so that you and your family will never have to face the worst-case scenario.

Call us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule a free consultation to ensure your estate planning protects to from the worst-case scenario.

MH logo

Main Office

7600 N 16th St, Ste 105

Phoenix, AZ 85020

Phone: 602-249-1328

Fax: 602-248-2887

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

For a sample Click Here

Offices

Our law firm proudly serves many areas in Arizona. See all of our locations here.

Our law firm proudly serves the state of Arizona.  See all of our locations here.

Toll Free: 888-222-1328

Mon-Thur: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Fri: 8:00am – 4:00pm

  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram

Need an Estate Planning Lawyer in Arizona?

Looking for an estate planning attorney near you? We have office locations in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, West Valley, Carefree, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff, Tucson, and Oro Valley in Arizona so please visit us at the location that is closest to you.

  • © 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc All rights reserved.
  • Disclaimer