Palm Harbor Caregivers
Stepping into a caregiving role for a loved one is challenging. You have to deal with the emotional impact of watching the physical and cognitive decline. You’re also worried about the legalities surrounding caregiving. Fortunately, a Palm Harbor estate planning attorney can help you navigate the process. Find out how a lawyer can protect you and your loved one.
Create Advance Directives
If your loved one is still of sound mind, then he or she should talk with the estate planning attorney directly because they can assist with drafting advanced directives. However, if your loved one has a diagnosis such as dementia or no longer has mental capacity, then it is very likely that your only option is a guardianship.
If your loved one still has mental capacity, then he or she can work with the attorney to outline the type of care they want to receive. For instance, he or she can determine if a feeding tube, antibiotics, CPR and other procedures can be used when providing care. A living will gives clarity to you, as a caregiver, so that you won’t have to struggle to determine what your loved one wants.
Your loved one should also name someone to make medical decisions in the event he or she cannot personally make those decisions. This document is called a health care surrogate. Then, you can use the living will as a guide while making decisions on behalf of your loved one. However, it’s still a good idea to have a conversation with your family member about the type of care he or she wants since you will likely come across situations that aren’t covered in the living will.
The attorney can also assist with creating a durable power of attorney and other advanced directives.
Get Help With Guardianship
Your loved one can also create a pre-need guardianship if he or she is still of sound mind. This gives your loved one the power to choose who will serve as the guardian upon incapacitated. If you’re willing, your loved one will likely choose you since you are already the caregiver.
If your loved one is already incapacitated and has not planned for incapacity or, your Palm Harbor estate planning lawyer can help you petition the court for guardianship. Depending on the circumstances, you can become a guardian of the person, the property, or both. Your attorney will go over the rules and regulations for serving as a guardian before petitioning the court. Then, you can determine if this is something you can do or if you need to recruit another family member.
These are just some of the ways that a Palm Harbor estate planning attorney can assist you in your role as a caregiver. Reach out to Sherri M. Stinson, P.A. to learn more.