Who Will Take Care Of You And Your Affairs?

It can happen slowly, as it does when dementia or health problems gradually get worse. It can happen quickly, from a car accident or grave illness. At some point, you may not be able to care for yourself or communicate your wishes.

Preparing for incapacity is just as important as planning for your death. At Guelzow & Ellefsen Law Offices, we can help you customize these important estate planning documents to make sure you are cared for if something happens to you.

Make plans while you are able
We have served Eau Claire and western Wisconsin for 50 years. We invite you to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your will and powers of attorney.

Powers Of Attorney

Your will and beneficiary designations only come into play upon death. Power of attorney is invoked while you are still living. If you become physically or mentally incapacitated, this document turns over control to a person (or persons) that you have designated. There are two kinds:

• Financial power of attorney grants control of your finances and business affairs, such as paying bills, managing investments and signing legal documents. You can grant full control to that trusted agent, or limited powers.
• A health care proxy (health care power of attorney) authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are not mentally competent or not able to communicate.

We have seen awful circumstances where spouses or adult children are not able to take needed action because they don’t have the legal authority. Don’t let this happen!

Living Will

Another all-too-common scenario is family members who do not know a loved one’s wishes for treatment or cannot agree on what to do. An advance directive, commonly known as a living will, spells out your specific wishes about heroic measures, life support and end-of-life care. For example, a person may want a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) if their heart stops or may want to be taken off life support if they lose brain function. We can help you address specific situations so that your doctors and loved ones respect your wishes.

Let’s Have The Discussion

Ali Ellefsen is an experienced and compassionate estate planning lawyer. She can help you designate powers of attorney and clearly state your end-of-life wishes, so your loved ones don’t have to make wrenching decisions or stand by helplessly when that day comes.

Call our Eau Claire office today at 715-388-8130 or use the online form to schedule a free initial consultation.