Probate in California - Corona Probate Lawyer
Imagine living with your life partner for twenty years. You share a house, possessions and a life. You've planned a future together that includes many years beyond retirement in your own home, enjoying the fruits of both of your years of employment. Then the unthinkable happens. Your partner becomes very ill and is unable to make decisions regarding his or her own health care or finances. Will you be legally allowed to make decisions for your partner? If you've consulted a Corona probate lawyer and made arrangements for all future eventualities, you will be able to make the decisions that will affect both of your lives, and see to it that your partner's wishes are carried out.
That didn't happen in the case described above. When Rose became ill and unable to make her own decisions, her younger sister petitioned the probate court and was appointed Rose's guardian. Acting as Rose's conservator, she made arrangements for Rose to be transferred to a medical facility that was three hours away from her home, making it difficult for Rose's partner to visit. Rose and her partner had shared household expenses, though the house was in her partner's name. Rose's sister diverted the share of her income that had been intended to pay the mortgage on the home shared by Rose and her partner into a trust for her care. Rose and her partner lost their home when her partner was unable to meet the mortgage payments. In short, despite Rose's wishes and intents for the future, her partner was excluded from helping to make decisions about her medical care, finances and all other decisions affecting their life together.
If you live in a non-traditional relationship, it is vital that you and your partner make legal arrangements to prevent the situation faced by Rose and her partner. There are a number of legal instruments that you can use to ensure that your partner will be the one to see to it that your wishes are carried out in the event that you are incapacitated. A Corona probate lawyer can assist you with arrangements such as:
Health care power of attorney which allows you to name the person you trust to make your health care decisions in the event that you can't make them for yourself. While most people think of those decisions in terms of 'end of life' decisions, there are many other circumstances where that power of attorney can make an enormous difference. A health care power of attorney will ensure that your partner can visit and make decisions for you if that's your choice.
A Living Trust naming your partner as trustee can ensure that your partner - or any person that you choose - can manage your financial affairs while you are incapacitated. It will give them the right and the ability to manage your money, pay your bills and make financial decisions in your name if needed.
There are many other ways that a Corona Probate Lawyer can assist you in planning your estate to be sure that your partner is kept in the picture. If you haven't made plans for your future, it's vital that you do so. Consult a Corona probate lawyer to learn more about how you can protect your assets and ensure that they're used in the way that you want them to be used.
