Are you prepared if something were to go seriously wrong while you are en route to work or on vacation, or when you pass away one day? Safeguard your wishes and reduce emotional strain on your family by securing effective estate planning before an event of your incapacity or death.

Every Texan adult, especially those who are parents, should familiarize themselves with these five standard estate planning documents:

Texas Last Will & Testament

A Will that is appropriately drafted and signed in accordance with Texas law lets you choose how you want your property to be distributed, as well as appoint guardians for your minor children or pets, in the event of your passing. Through your Will, you can create trusts for your children or spouse, and name a trusted individual to oversee the distribution and management of your assets, personal possessions, and family heirlooms. If you pass on in Texas without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to a statutory formula laid out in the Texas Estates Code. This statutory formula may conflict with your ideal preferences regarding personal asset distribution. Additionally, passing on without a Will means that the court will decide who assumes guardianship over any minor children that you may have.

Texas Durable Power of Attorney

A Durable Power of Attorney document will help your business and financial affairs to keep moving in the event that you are incapable of handling them yourself, whether for medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances such as an extended trip overseas. This document will appoint a trusted friend or family member to help you sign checks and manage business affairs and assets in your short absence, or for longer periods of time if you become temporarily or permanently incapacitated.

Texas Medical Power of Attorney

This document allows you to choose a trusted friend or family member to make medical or health care delivery decisions on your behalf in the event you become incapable of making those decisions for yourself. Medical powers of attorney aren’t just for the elderly – anyone can fall ill or suffer severe injuries at any point in their life. Additionally, a Medical Power of Attorney can be used to designate what steps should be taken in an emergency regarding your minor child while one or both parents are unavailable.

HIPAA Authorization

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a Federal law that sets limits and rules on who can receive your health information or lay eyes on your medical records. Through a HIPAA authorization, you can name a trusted family member or friend who can have access to your medical information. This document helps put health care or insurance providers at ease in providing your medical information to your authorized person, and helps prevent unnecessary delays during medical emergencies.

Texas Directive to Physicians

Also known as a Living Will, this document allows you to outline your medical wishes should you ever suffer an irreversible or terminal condition and are unable to make those decisions on your own. These decisions include the use of artificial life-extending methods, life support, and tube feeding, among others.

Plan your estate now to protect yourself and your loved ones from the expected and the unexpected in life. Having these five essential documents drafted ahead of time will give you peace of mind that, whether in incapacity or death, your desires are known and the burden on your family is eased.

For more information on how to plan your will and estate documents,  contact The Law Office of Wendi Andino or simply call 682-233-5584.