How many seniors in Dayton and the state as a whole are participating in estate planning?
There are nearly 10 million adults living in Ohio, yet the table below shows that a very small percentage of them have filed simple or complex trust documents. If your loved one has not created a last will and testament, essential decisions will instead be made by the local courts using the state’s laws. That’s probably not going to be the same thing your loved one would have wanted.
It’s obvious that not enough adults have estate planning on their minds. Either that, or they have only thought about it, but not acted on it. By helping your aging loved one connect with an estate planning lawyer in Dayton, you are helping them guarantee their wealth and possessions are distributed according to their desires, whether that’s to family members, charitable causes close to their hearts, or a combination of the two.
What should caregivers in Dayton know about the prevalence of advanced directives?
If your loved one is reaching or past retirement age, they should have already prepared advanced directives about the medical procedures they want in life-saving situations. To be honest, all adults should have these as you never know what’s going to happen. But the sad fact is that almost two-thirds of adults do not have advanced directives on file, as the table below indicates.
Americans with advanced directives
For end-of-life care
For end-of-life care over age 65
For end-of-life care currently in a nursing home
Fortunately, that rate rises as people age, so if your aging loved one doesn’t have their advanced directive already, it’s time to connect them with a Dayton estate planning attorney as soon as possible. This can give your loved one great peace of mind, because they know their wishes will be respected if they end up in the hospital. It also gives you peace of mind because you don’t have to make life-and-death decisions in the midst of a crisis without even knowing your loved one’s opinions.
How to choose the best estate planning attorney in Dayton
If your loved one has a general or financial attorney, it’s still a good idea to set them up with specialized estate planning services in Dayton. As you look into options, be sure that the attorneys you consider are eager to provide references. If not, cross them off your list. Also, it’s a good idea to ask about each attorney’s familiarity with situations similar to your loved one’s so that you can be confident they will handle your senior’s business with experience and wisdom.
You should also get a good idea of the cost of estate planning services to make sure your loved one can afford the attorneys you put on your list of finalists. Estate planning attorneys are pretty reasonably priced based on the complexity of the estate in question. Finally, make sure there is a good rapport between your loved one and the estate planning attorney they choose because their relationship will be ongoing. For more information, check out our comprehensive guide to choosing an estate planning attorney.
Estate planning solutions for Dayton seniors
Planning for the future has always been a good idea, and it becomes that much more essential as your loved one ages. Finding a Dayton estate planning attorney can provide peace of mind for everyone involved and allow your parent or grandparent to age with dignity and respect. Start your search using our listings above.
