Choosing a healthcare agent is an important part of planning for possible incapacity. This person may be asked to speak for you about medical care if you cannot make or communicate your own decisions. But life can change. The person you choose today may be unavailable years from now. They may develop health problems, move away, or decide they are no longer comfortable serving. Vermont residents can prepare for that possibility by naming an alternate agent in an Advance Directive. Vermont … [Read more...] about What Happens If Your Healthcare Agent Cannot Serve When Needed?
General
Questions Families Should Ask Before Naming a Trustee for a Special Needs Trust
Choosing a special needs trust trustee is an important part of planning for a loved one with a disability. The trustee may manage money, approve distributions, keep records, communicate with the beneficiary, and follow the instructions in the trust. For Vermont families, this choice should involve more than deciding who is dependable. A trustee may serve for many years. That person may also make financial decisions that affect the beneficiary's daily life and access to certain public … [Read more...] about Questions Families Should Ask Before Naming a Trustee for a Special Needs Trust
Should You Leave Written Instructions Alongside Your Estate Plan?
An Estate planning attorney can help you create legal documents that address important decisions about your property, finances, health care, and family. Still, even a carefully prepared estate plan may not contain every practical detail your loved ones could need. Written instructions can fill some of those gaps. A separate letter or set of notes may tell family members where important records are kept, who to contact, how you would like certain personal matters handled, and where they can … [Read more...] about Should You Leave Written Instructions Alongside Your Estate Plan?
Creating an Emergency Care Plan for Your Pets
Emergency care planning can protect your pets when an illness, injury, storm, or other unexpected event prevents you from returning home. A written plan gives trusted people the information they need to step in quickly. This preparation is especially useful for Vermont pet owners. Flooding, ice storms, power outages, and sudden medical events can disrupt normal routines. The Vermont Department of Health encourages families to prepare emergency supplies that account for the needs of their … [Read more...] about Creating an Emergency Care Plan for Your Pets
How Adult Children Can Help Aging Parents Organize Their Legal Affairs
Talking with aging parents about legal documents can feel personal. Parents may worry that their adult children are trying to take control. Adult children may worry that bringing up the subject will cause stress or conflict. A thoughtful approach can make these conversations easier. The purpose is to understand the parentâs wishes, confirm that important documents are current, and make sure trusted people can find needed information during an illness or emergency. Adult children can help … [Read more...] about How Adult Children Can Help Aging Parents Organize Their Legal Affairs
How to Create an Incapacity Plan Before a Medical Emergency Happens
A medical emergency can leave family members facing difficult questions. Who can speak with doctors? Who can pay the mortgage and other bills? Who can manage insurance claims or access important accounts? Incapacity Planning answers these questions before an emergency happens. It allows you to choose trusted decision makers, document your health care wishes, and organize the information your family may need. Incapacity Pre-Planning is different from Crisis Planning. Incapacity Pre-Planning … [Read more...] about How to Create an Incapacity Plan Before a Medical Emergency Happens
How Grandparents Can Plan for a Grandchild With Special Needs
Grandparents often play an important role in a grandchild's life. Beyond providing love, encouragement, and family traditions, many grandparents also want to leave a meaningful legacy. For families raising a child with disabilities, that legacy deserves thoughtful planning. While many articles focus on parents, grandparents can also make a lasting difference through careful estate planning. Whether you live in Essex Junction, Burlington, elsewhere in Chittenden County, or another part of … [Read more...] about How Grandparents Can Plan for a Grandchild With Special Needs
What Information Should Your Family Be Able to Access in an Emergency?Â
A family emergency can happen with little warning. A parent may become ill, a spouse may be injured, or an adult child may need to help an aging loved one. For many Vermont families, emergency planning is part of Estate Planning. It can help loved ones manage important decisions if you cannot speak, sign papers, pay bills, or explain your wishes. The goal is simple. Your family should know where to find key documents, who to contact, and what authority they have to help. Why Family … [Read more...] about What Information Should Your Family Be Able to Access in an Emergency?Â
What Documents Should A Trustee Gather First After Someone Passes Away?
After a loved one passes away, the person named as trustee may feel overwhelmed. There may be phone calls from family, bills in the mail, funeral arrangements, and questions about bank accounts or the family home. During this early stage, trust administration usually begins with one simple but important step: gathering documents. A trustee does not need to handle every task at once. In many cases, the first goal is to locate the trust, protect trust property, and create a clear picture of the … [Read more...] about What Documents Should A Trustee Gather First After Someone Passes Away?
Why Estate Planning Isnât Just For The WealthyÂ
Many people believe estate planning is only for people with great wealth, large homes, or major investments. That belief can cause families to delay planning until a serious illness, accident, or loss forces quick decisions. Estate planning gives your family clear instructions. It helps explain who should make decisions for you, who should receive your property, and how your wishes should be carried out. It can also help reduce stress for your loved ones during an already difficult … [Read more...] about Why Estate Planning Isnât Just For The WealthyÂ
