We’ve all been there. You hear a legal horror story from friends or family, or even on the news, and our first thought is “but it probably won’t happen to me.” Unfortunately, none of us are invincible (as much as we tried to convince ourselves otherwise). Unexpected life events can happen to all people of all ages, so whether you’re young and single or on the brink of retirement, it’s crucial to have a good Florida estate planning in place just in case your life goes awry.
By failing to plan, you’re planning to fail. It’s as simple as that saying we all know! If you plan well with your estate planning attorney, then you eliminate doubt and uncertainty before a potential, future crisis can occur. With your estate planning accomplished, you can rest easy knowing you and your loved ones will be taken care of, no matter what life throws at you.
One of the most important steps in this process is choosing a decision maker – someone you can trust with making decisions that are right for you. But, between trustworthy friends and loyal family, how do you choose the right decision maker? We have three tips we want to share with you.
1. Choose a decision maker who you trust and who shares your values.
It sounds simple at first, but this person will be making crucial decisions regarding your life and property. It’s pertinent to guarantee this person will make the right decision for you, not for anyone else, and knows what you would want to happen in specific circumstances.
2. Your decision maker should be thoughtful, purposeful and decisive.
He or she should be someone who can look at every possible outcome before making these decisions and choosing the path to follow. You wouldn’t want big decisions to be made quickly or presumptuously.
3. Choose a decision maker you know will be in your life for the long haul.
Whether it’s a family member, a friend or a spouse, this person should be present in your life in the future. When you name your decision maker, it’s possible this person or persons (when you name backup decision makers) won’t make these decisions for another 15 years. Will they be available? Will they live in a close proximity (or are they accessible)? Will they make this process a priority?
Life will continuously throw curveballs at you, and unfortunately it’s completely unavoidable. But rather than hoping for the best and relying on luck, just plan ahead! Don’t forget to name backup representatives just in case your original choice is unable, unwilling or disqualified to make crucial decisions during your time of need. Does this article raise even more questions for you? We are here to answer them for you. Call us at +1 (321) 723 – 8388 to schedule an appointment with Attorney David H. Jacoby.