
By Jon Dize, CFRE
Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives
As we age, planning for the future becomes increasingly important. Ensuring that our wishes are respected and our loved ones are cared for requires careful consideration and preparation. Three critical documents that every senior should have are an up-to-date Will, a Power of Attorney, and an Advanced Healthcare Directive. These documents provide peace of mind and ensure that our wishes and desires are honored in the future and should be discussed with your family before they are needed.
Up-to-Date Will
A Will is a legal document that outlines how your assets and property will be distributed after your death. Having an up-to-date will is crucial for several reasons:
Clarity and Avoidance of Disputes: An updated Will clearly states your intentions, reducing the likelihood of disputes among family members. It also ensures that your assets can be distributed according to your wishes.
Protection of Loved Ones: A Will allows you to designate guardians for children and grandchildren if you have custody, ensuring their care and financial security.
Charitable Giving: Including a charity in your Will is a meaningful way to leave a legacy and support causes you care about.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated and cannot conduct needed business or communicate decisions. There are two main types of POA:
Financial POA: This allows your designated agent to manage your financial affairs, such as paying bills, managing investments, and handling property transactions.
Healthcare POA: This grants your agent the authority to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself (similar to the Advanced Healthcare Directive below).
Having a POA is essential because it ensures that your affairs are managed according to your wishes, even if you are unable to communicate them. It provides a trusted individual with the legal authority to act in your best interest, preventing potential financial or medical crises.
Advanced Healthcare Directive
An Advanced Healthcare Directive, also known as a living will in some states, outlines your preferences for medical treatment in case you are unable to make decisions for yourself. This document typically includes provisions for the following:
End-of-Life Care: Your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments, including resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and feeding tubes.
Pain Management: Your preferences for pain relief and comfort measures.
Organ Donation: Your decisions about organ and tissue donation.
This document ensures that your medical care aligns with your values and desires, providing guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones during difficult times. Discussing your wishes with family members now allows time to make difficult decisions before an emergency arises.
Our Annual Write-A-Will Time is Here
We want all of our friends to have these documents ready to go. To help remove a common impediment to completing these goals, we want to help you find an attorney that can help you create or update these documents during the national Write-A-Will promotion in August. If you are willing to include a charity in your will, such as your church, university, or even Worship Anew, we have resources that can help find a Christian attorney in your area. Please contact us at (888) 286-8002 or legacy@worshipanew.org.
Biblical Perspective
The Bible encourages us to plan wisely and care for others. In Proverbs 13:22 (NIV) we read, "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous."
This verse highlights the importance of thoughtful planning and leaving a legacy that benefits future generations.
By having an up-to-date Will, Power of Attorney, and Advanced Healthcare Directive, you can ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are cared for, reflecting the Biblical principle of wise stewardship.
Having these essential documents in place is crucial for seniors. They provide clarity, protection, and peace of mind, ensuring that your wishes are honored and your loved ones are cared for.
If you are concerned with how to find a Christian attorney to help you with your needs, please contact us and we will help find you options.
And most of all, please don’t delay. If you wait until you need these documents, it may be too late.