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Danielle’s Christmas Gift to her Mother
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Christmas shopping for my mother was never an easy task but as she has gotten older, finding a gift that she will enjoy and use is nearly impossible.
No more scarves, sweaters or slippers please! The snuggie from last year still looks fine and I believe the “teas from around the world” has not travelled out of the pantry since last January. This year I want to give my mother a gift she could use and something I know she wouldn’t buy for herself. Then I thought: I work in an Elder Law Firm; what is the greatest thing we give to our clients and their families?…peace of mind. How do we give them that precious peace of mind? We make sure they plan for all the expected and unexpected occurrences that happen in life. So I called my sisters and threw out the idea to them.
“Hey, you want to get together and buy mom her estate-planning package for Christmas?" I asked my sisters. At first they thought it was a little strange. Then I explained to them how happy our clients were when they finally got around to coming in and doing the planning they had always put off. Not only that, their family didn’t have to worry anymore about what to do if something happens to mom or dad. The decisions were made and properly documented. In fact, all of our clients get the original of their estate planning documents in a binder for safekeeping and an accompanying CD so that copies can be made if needed.
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This year I want to give my mother a gift she could use and something I know she wouldn’t buy for herself. Then I thought: I work in an Elder Law Firm; what is the greatest thing we give to our clients and their families?…peace of mind.
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My sisters wanted to know what estate planning documents I thought mom would need. I told them that everyone should have a Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Directives for Healthcare and a Will or Trust for estate planning. The Durable Power of Attorney will allow mom to appoint someone, probably one of us, to handle her financial affairs if she no longer can manage by herself. She executes this document now and if a triggering event happens we know who is in charge of mom’s finances.
The Advance Directives for Healthcare has four functions: first, mom will appoint someone to make her healthcare decisions when she can no longer make them for herself; second, mom will state her treatment preferences if she has a terminal condition or is in a state of permanent unconsciousness; third, mom can nominate the person who will be her guardian should she ever need one; and fourth, she can state specific instructions on what she wants done after she passes (cremation/burial). This document not only honors mom’s wishes, it keeps sibling fights to a minimum during these high stress times.
The final part of this gift is a Will or Trust to make sure mom’s treasures, whether big or small, are passed on the way she wants. It is important to have an attorney familiar with elder law look at your loved one’s estate to determine what type of instrument, either a Will or Trust or both, is best for the particular circumstances.
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My sisters wanted to know what estate planning documents I thought mom would need. I told them that everyone should have a Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Directives for Healthcare and a Will or Trust for estate planning.
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I’m so excited that my sisters have agreed to join in this gift with me. I’ve even come up with a clever way to wrap this gift. I’m going to put a soft pillow with a pretty pillow case in a box with a gift certificate taped on the pillow that says: “For a Good Night’s Sleep“ along with the date of our appointment with the attorney. I know my mom worries about the future but will never take the initiative to make the appointment for herself. To make it affordable, we are combining our resources into one very valuable joint gift for mom. Another friend of mine who is an only child decided to make it her mother’s combined Christmas, birthday, and Mother’s day gift, calling it: “The Gift of 2011.” However you package it, the gift of peace of mind is always a good way to say Merry Christmas.
If you would like to learn more about estate planning, please call Hurley Elder Care Law, or an Elder Care attorney in your area. See LCPLFA.org or NAELA.org for a listing of attorneys near you.
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Family Business
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The Thanksgiving Holidays saw our staff scatter all over the country. Danielle spent some time in Chicago (and she can verify that it is, in fact, The Windy City.) Sandi flew out to California to spend the holiday with her daughter and grandchildren. John and his wife enjoyed a visit to his parents in Rockingham and Kelley enjoyed two Thanksgiving dinners, one with her grandmother at her Assisted Living Facility in Oakwood and one at home with her parents and siblings. Louise is still battling the broken ankle but has decided to not let it damper her enthusiasm for the holidays. Instead of shopping on Black Friday, she spent time helping her mom, who has Alzheimer’s, decorate her home.
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 Miles Hurley
Miles Hurley is the founding partner of Hurley Elder Care Law, which was created to provide comprehensive legal solutions for families with age- related events.
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Continue reading » |
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12/1/2010 – Appreciation Luncheon
Miles Hurley Presents:
12/2/2010 – Speaking at Freedom Pointe
12/8/2010 – Veterans Benefits in-service at Merrill Gardens Roswell
12/9/2010 – Speaking at RBC
1/6/2011 – Speaking at Acworth UMC’s Alzheimer Support Group
1/12/2011 – Speaking to Embracing Hospice Social Workers
1/19/2011 – Speaking at Wesley Woods
1/25/2011 – Speaking to Hospice Atlanta
Miles Hurley and Michelle Allen Present:
12/7/2010 – Piedmont Hospital Meet & Greet with the Case Management Department
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For event details and more information, click here. |
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