The McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley holiday season is a beacon of togetherness, love, and celebration. But while you enjoy all the fun and festivities, it may be a good idea to have meaningful conversations about the future that you haven’t had the chance to have in previous months with our attorneys in McAllen. This is especially important regarding your healthcare wishes and financial decisions through your power of attorney and healthcare proxy.
While these conversations can feel uncomfortable, the holidays present a unique opportunity because you’re often surrounded by people you trust to make decisions on your behalf. The McAllen estate planning lawyers at Fryer and Hansen want to share why the holidays are an excellent time to review these essential documents.
Your Power of Attorney Should be a Priority
Your power of attorney gives a person you trust the ability to manage your financial and legal affairs if you’re ever unable to do so. Whether this involves paying bills, managing investments, or even making real estate decisions, this document can ensure someone you can count on is at the helm. As life and circumstances change, the person you initially chose to serve as your power of attorney may no longer be the best choice.
For example, you may have named your spouse as your POA, but if you’ve gone through a divorce or your spouse is dealing with health issues, it may be time to select someone else. The holidays provide the perfect opportunity to discuss your current preferences and make updates as needed.
Reviewing Your Healthcare Proxy
Much like a power of attorney, your healthcare proxy gives the individual you choose to act as such the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated. This document outlines your preferences for medical care and gives your designated agent the authority to act according to your wishes.
If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your healthcare proxy, you can use the holiday season to bring the topic up to someone you trust. After all, family dynamics change over time, and the person you initially chose might not be best suited to handle this role today.
Major Life Events and Changes in Health
There’s a big chance you saw many changes over the last year, including events that may have impacted your estate planning documents. Whether it’s a marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a severe illness, these events can affect how you want to decide on your behalf.
The holidays allow you to reflect on the past year’s changes and ensure your estate plan remains relevant. Perhaps a trusted family member has passed, or your original agent has developed health concerns. It’s important to revisit these decisions in light of new circumstances.
Peace of Mind for You and Your Family
Our McAllen estate planning lawyers realize discussing sensitive topics takes work. However, doing so when you’re loved ones around you is always an intelligent and thoughtful option. Ensuring that your estate plan covers you and your loved ones can bring everyone the peace of mind they need. It ensures that if something were to happen, your loved ones won’t have to scramble to figure out your wishes—they’ll already know who has been designated to take care of these critical matters.
Let Fryer and Hansen – Attorneys in McAllen Lead the Way
If you take the time to ensure every component of your estate plan is current, you assure your loved ones that they’ll know how to proceed if a crisis arises. It also prevents any potential conflicts or confusion that could occur if your intentions aren’t documented. At Fryer & Hansen, PLLC, our attorneys in McAllen understand the importance of ensuring your estate planning documents reflect your current wishes. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward peace of mind for the new year.