“I’ve got it covered.”
It’s a phrase many adult children hear when they tentatively bring up estate planning for aging parents. But as an estate planning and elder law firm in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, we often see that “covered” actually means “unprepared.”
Watching for these three signs can help you protect your parents’ legacy and your own peace of mind:
1. The “Paperwork Pile-Up”
Are bills going unpaid? Are medical appointments being missed? These aren’t just signs of aging; they are indicators that the administrative side of life is becoming overwhelming.
2. The Document Scavenger Hunt
If your mother or father fell ill tomorrow, do you have the legal authority to speak to their doctors? Do you know where the original Will or Trust is kept? If the answer is “I think so,” it’s time to verify.
3. Intent vs. Action
Good intentions don’t hold up in probate court. If your parents have goals for their care but haven’t memorialized them in a Health Care Power of Attorney or a Living Will, the state may decide for them.
Don’t wait for the crisis to happen. Call us at 919-484-0012 or schedule your consultation.