Column: Leaving a positive legacy

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Commentary by Lisa Dillman

Leaving a positive legacy is something my clients increasingly tell me they want. They hope to ensure that as they age, and when they pass on, they don’t leave their loved ones with unneeded stress.

More and more of us are thinking about end-of-life issues because of the coronavirus pandemic. As an elder law attorney, I encourage Hoosiers to take positive steps that ensure their care wishes are spelled out and protect their resources for the future.

Life Care Planning

Life Care Planning is one way to get the help you need to manage your finances, legal issues and health care needs. Life Care Planning involves a team of attorneys, health care providers and financial managers. They look at the type of care you need and want, walk you through the maze of choices to help pay for it and examine the best ways to protect your assets and get top-quality care. You generally pay a fee to have the team at your disposal day or night.

Estate Planning

Clients often think that they have to be rich to consider estate planning. Not true! Without your own plan, the state of Indiana will control how any assets you do have are distributed after you pass away.

Another reason to have an estate plan of your own is to ensure that you can control who can make medical and financial decisions on your behalf in the event of incapacity. Without a properly designed and implemented estate plan, someone could petition the court to gain control over your medical care and assets. This could be a person you would never have chosen on your own!

Don’t let fear stop you from taking action. The power to leave a positive legacy that you are proud of is in your hands.

Lisa Dillman is an attorney at Applegate & Dillman Elder Law. The firm specializes in elder law and Life Care Planning. The firm has offices in Indianapolis, Carmel and Zionsville. Find out more at applegate-dillman.com


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