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Advice from a New Jersey Elder Care Expert and Lawyer.

“Distance is a complicating factor. If you have the finances available, you may want to hire a Care Manager. Otherwise, you’ll need to know how to manage from afar as a loved one ages.” Below are topics suggested as relevant by the lawyer interviewed.  

Capacity

If your loved one can still make decisions, encourage them to meet with a lawyer NOW. They can set up documents to allow a trusted person to make decisions for them as needed. This should cost less than $1,000.

Click on the link below to read about the importance of a will:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/07/tony-hsieh-zappos-death-will/

Incapacitated

When a person can no longer manage, they will need others to make decisions:

  • MEDICAL  
  • FINANCIAL 

Click on the link below to read about the importance of a will:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/07/tony-hsieh-zappos-death-will/

Medical Decision-Making

LIVING WILL

  • also called Advanced Healthcare Directive and/or Durable Medical Power of Attorney
  • says who makes health care decisions

Financial Decision-Making

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

  • Says who makes financial decisions

Guardianship

  • incapacitated with no advance paperwork
  • legal process can cost $10,000.
  • Click on the link below to learn more about:
    guardianship

Uncooperative

  • The Living Will and Power of Attorney require that the person in need cooperates 
  • If not, a Guardianship Proceeding can overrule dangerous decisions

Location of Documents

  • Know your status
  • Know where to find:
    • birth certificate
    • marriage license
    • death certificate of a spouse
    • judgment of divorce
    • social security card
    • insurance cards
    • Medicare card
    • bank accounts
    • life insurance policies
    • funeral trusts
    • prepaid burial plots
    • deeds
    • titles
    • safe deposit box keys 
    • tax documents
    • any necessary passwords