How can I best protect my elder parent’s financial assets?

It is important to ensure your elderly parent’s financial assets are protected. The best way to do this is to create and maintain an estate plan for them. An estate plan can include a will, power of attorney, trust, medical power of attorney, living will, and other legal documents. A will is the most important element of an estate plan. A will helps determine how the assets of your elderly parent will be distributed after their death. The power of attorney grants an individual, such as a family member, the ability to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of the elderly parent, such as paying bills, filing taxes, and handling their investments. A trust is an agreement between the elderly parent and a third party, such as a family member, to manage and distribute assets upon the parent’s death. A medical power of attorney (MPA) allows an individual to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the elderly parent. The MPA is especially important since it allows the appointee to make medical decisions in case the elderly parent is incapacitated and unable to make those decisions themselves. A living will is a legal document that details the healthcare decisions the elderly parent would like to have made in the event of an incapacitating medical emergency. Finally, it is important to ensure that all relevant documents are kept safe and secure and that the elderly parent’s wishes regarding asset distribution are properly documented. By taking these steps, you can assist in protecting your elderly parent’s financial assets and ensure their wishes are implemented when needed.

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