Planning your estate is essential in normal circumstances. Add in the uncertainty and risk that come along with a pandemic, and it really is a wise move to have your affairs in order. This article highlights that the suggestion of planning your estate now isn’t just based on the issues of morbidity, as many survive COVID-19, but if you require hospitalization or if you fall ill, it may bring you peace of mind to know everything is settled.

While estate planning can be complicated, it doesn’t have to be. Some helpful documents to get started, as listed by the Emporia Gazette, are:

• Financial power of attorney – This would give someone of your choosing the authority to conduct your financial affairs if you are unable to do so
• Last will and testament – choose how your assets are distributed and appoint an executor to oversee the distribution
• Living trust – allows you to leave assets to heirs without probate, also provides more flexibility in regards to how you disperse your assets
• Health care surrogate – should you become incapacitated, this person can act for you regarding your medical care
• Living will – allows you to specify end-of-life treatments that you do or do not want

The process of estate planning or updating requires time, with notarization and witnesses necessary. During a time of quarantines and social distancing, those things may be more difficult to accommodate than usual. It is best to act sooner rather than later, and you can be content knowing that if the worst does happen, everything is already settled and in place.

Call Rhodes Law Firm today to get started!