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    Kinghorn Heritage Law Group, PLC

    Tucson Estate Planning Attorneys

    Connect with us today(520) 529-4000

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    Home / I Need to Plan

    I Need to Plan

    There is a famous saying that when people plan, God laughs. One type of plan that you do need to make, however, is a plan for end of life issues and for what your legacy will be when you are gone.

    Everyone passes away, and many people experience a serious illness or injury before the end of their life. No matter what your age or how healthy you are, anything could happen in a split second and leave you vulnerable to an uncertain future.

    You need to plan for this inevitability. Kinghorn Law can help. Our Tucson incapacity and legacy planning lawyers provide compassionate assistance so you are prepared for some of the darkest days that you and your loved ones could face.

    Why is it So Important to Plan for End-of-Life and Your Legacy?

    No one likes to think about getting sick or dying, but it happens to everyone. When your day comes, it is up to you what your family will have to cope with.

    If you act while you are healthy and of sound mind, you can spare the people you love from difficult and sometimes costly situations, such as going to court and having a guardian appointed or having to make the choice to withhold medical care from you.

    If you want to provide the very best for the people in your life, start today to plan for your future and theirs. From sparing your family grief at the end of your life to avoiding family fighting by making legacy plans, there are simple steps you can take now to care for the people who matter.

    Making your plans is also important for your own quality of life. You deserve a say in whether you want medical interventions or to die with dignity, and you deserve to choose who will manage your lifetime’s wealth if you cannot. If you don’t make your plans, you will lose the chance to maintain control over your destiny, even once you are no longer in control of your daily life.

    What Must be a Part of Your Planning Process?

    The key components of a plan that will protect you and your family at the end of your life and beyond could include:

    • Wills: Wills are one of the simplest tools in an estate plan. They allow you to offer basic instructions on who should inherit so default intestacy laws do not determine your legacy. Wills can also help to head off family fighting and ensure heirlooms are passed on to the next generation who will appreciate them most.
    • Living trusts: Living trusts are a versatile legal tool that can allow you to designate a person to manage trust assets in case of incapacity. A living trust can also make the timely transfer of trust assets possible through trust administration. If you want your family to inherit faster because probate is avoided, or if you want trust assets to be managed by a chosen trustee in case of incapacity, a living trust may be right for you.
    • Powers of attorney: A durable power of attorney is the cornerstone of most incapacity plans. If you want to determine who gets to make your decisions on your behalf when illness or injury stops you from being able to manage your own affairs, you need to create a power of attorney.
    • Beneficiary designations: Beneficiaries must be designated on life insurance, on certain pay-on-death accounts, and in certain other circumstances where you want to select a person to inherit. Sometimes, naming a beneficiary can be more complicated than it seems, especially if you hope to have a minor inherit. Kinghorn Law assists you in understanding when and how to name beneficiaries so you can take care of the people you love.

    Kinghorn Law will provide assistance with these tools and with other plans that you may need to make, from arranging how to give money to charity to ensuring that your business you built can survive after you pass away.

    Getting Help Making Your Plans for the Future

    Planning ahead for a tragic outcome is not anyone’s idea of fun, but it allows you to protect your family and ensure you can maintain autonomy and dignity for as long as possible. You need an incapacity and legacy planning lawyer who has not only legal knowledge of the tools you can use to plan, but who also has the compassion and understanding to assist with tackling life’s most personal and pressing questions.

    Kinghorn Law is here to help. Give us a call today at (520) 529-4000 or contact us online to speak with a Tucson end-of-life and legacy planning lawyer to find out more about how we can represent you.

     

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    Testimonials

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    In this day and age it is very rewarding and comforting to make a major decision for the long-term security of your family. Over 14 years ago we decided upon the Kinghorn Heritage Family to create our family trust. Through the years it became very evident that this decision was a major and necessary step for a secure future in an ever-changing legal climate. The Kinghorn Family has been a close friend that has always been there to serve our family.

    Gary and Velma T. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    We appreciate the programs presented that keep us informed and updated in today’s internet and financial world. It is a comfort to know that you are only a phone call away if questions arise.

    Robert and JoAnn H. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    We enjoyed meeting all the behind-the-scenes people on your team and want to thank you for the peace of mind you’ve given us and our children.

    M.D. Client Reveiw September 8, 2020

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    What an amazing law firm, where the people I refer to them are handled as good friends, family, and confidantes.

    Eileen E. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    Thank you Allison and Kinghorn Law family for everything you have done to make our end-of-life decisions a reality and stress free. When we think of Kinghorn: trust, peace of mind, professional. Outstanding Law Firm!

    Ken and Cheryl V. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    Very satisfied with your company and staff.

    Robert and Britt O. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    As a Tucson, Arizona elder law firm, we are focused on matters that are of interest to senior citizens. There is a very significant demographic shift underway at the present time, and it is having an impact on countless families. During the years immediately following World War II, an unprecedented number of babies were born. This phenomenon has come to be known as the “baby boom,” and these folks have been dubbed the “baby boomers.” The baby boom years were 1946 to 1964, so many of these individuals are now senior citizens, and others are getting very close. According to the Social Security Administration, about 10,000 people are applying for their benefits every day. This volume is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, so elder law attorneys are going to be providing a lot of guidance over the coming years. There are a number of different matters that seniors and those who are planning ahead for their golden years should address, but there is one that stands above all the rest. The United States Department of Health and Human Services tells us that 70 percent of seniors will need living assistance at some point in time. Some will require full-time residence in an assisted living facility of some kind, and others will be able to get the care that they need at home. In-home care is going to be the preferred choice for many people for a couple of different reasons. For one, nursing homes and assisted living communities are extremely expensive, and Medicare does not pay for long term care. The other one is the simple fact that most seniors are comfortable in their homes, and they don’t want to move into unfamiliar surroundings.

    Juggling Responsibilities

    Family members often step up to the plate to provide in-home care for their aging parents. Some family caregivers have grown children or no children at all, so they do not have to simultaneously provide care for an aging parent and their dependent child or children. However, there are increasing numbers of people that are forced to juggle these responsibilities. The caregivers that are part of this group are members of what is being called the “sandwich generation.” Even if your only primary responsibility is to provide care for a parent, it can be very challenging to be thrust into this position, even if you are totally willing. We have a lot of direct experience counseling caregivers, and we have done a good bit of research as well. Let’s look at a few rules of thumb that can provide some structure for you as you embark on your journey as a family caregiver.

    Do Your Research

    Clearly, you are going to get certain advice from your parent’s doctor or doctors, and you should also gain a personal understanding of the underlying conditions that are causing the challenges. And speaking of physicians, they are not allowed to release medical information to others, even family members, under the HIPPA Privacy Rule. However, an authorization form can be signed, and this is something that should be done while your parent is fully capable of making sound decisions.

    Seek Knowledge and Support From Other Caregivers

    As they say, experience is the best teacher. If you know people that have provided care for aging family members, you should certainly learn what you can from them. Plus, there are support groups, both online and in person, that you can participate in to communicate with other people that are going through the same things that you are.

    Don’t Overdo It

    It is important to make sure that you understand your personal limits, because there is only so much that one person can handle. This is true on the physical level and the emotional level. When we say that you shouldn’t overdo it, there is another facet. Your parent may need a certain degree of help, but you should certainly encourage as much independence as possible, because activity is a very positive thing.

    Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

    When you love someone, you are providing care because you sincerely want to help for all the right reasons. At the same time, a lot of feelings can come to the surface, and there can be internal conflicts. You may feel as though you are not paying enough attention to other family members (this is common among members of the sandwich generation), and this can make you feel guilty. At times, you may get angry, and you may feel a sense of resentment. These are all natural emotions, and you should not be afraid to talk about them with people that you are comfortable confiding in.

    Outside Assistance Is Available

    If the tasks become too overwhelming, even if you enlist help from other family members, our firm may be able to help you qualify for participation in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. This would facilitate government subsidized in-home care provided by a professional aide. To learn more about it, you can give us a call at (520) 529-4000, and you can alternately reach out through our contact page.

    Chandler V. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    Estate Planning attorneys are sometimes criticized for offering needlessly complex, 'canned' solutions. This never has been the case with Kevin. The documents he created were comprehensive when appropriate and surprisingly simple when suitable. In every case, they were individually crafted to meet our unique needs.

    Rich D. Client Review September 8, 2020

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    Tucson, AZ 85718
    Phone: (520) 529-4000

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