Disability Planning

It is foreseeable that we may become incapacitated at some point, whether it is due to an accident or to old age. If we are proactive about it we can minimize its costs while providing more and better options for ourselves from which to choose. 

The alternative is going to the Probate court for a Guardianship proceeding. After hearing legal arguments and listening to medical testimony. The judge will decide if you are incompetent. The judge then decides who your guardian will be, as well as what they can do. And all of this will require the help of professionals with regular reports back to the judge. 

Even with the high level of professionalism in St. Joseph County, this area is fraught with abuse nationally.  With proper estate planning you can avoid this process, and put your own instructions into place for when you are to be considered disabled and who should be authorized to help you – as well as how best to care for you