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Am I really “THAT” Old?!?  And if so, what steps to take once I admit I am no longer 29?

Written By Karen Elise Robbins
August 22, 2022

 

My birthday is in August. It is a great time of year to enjoy the day and conveniently forget how to count. After all, what is the purpose in subtracting the current year from the year I was born to reinforce the fact that I am no longer twenty-nine, or thirty-nine….? Okay, I believe you get the picture.  Can you imagine my shock and dismay when in the mailbox I recently received a welcome envelope from AARP? I double checked and, yes, it was in fact my name on the envelope. I did not sign up; I did quickly recycle the mailer, and then I determined it was a good catalyst for this blog post.

Most parents realize that they need to have a will in order to specify who will raise their children should the worst come to pass. These wills might simply leave everything to the children in some form of trust, and name the desired guardians. Locating the will and admitting it to probate can take time. Connecticut, however, allows for Guardianship Memorandums.  Simply put, these super brief documents when drafted and executed correctly, can be brought to the probate court and the judge can immediately appoint the chosen guardian while the rest of the will slowly meanders through the legal system.

At a minimum, what other documents in addition to a basic will and guardianship memorandum should you have long before you turn……forty-nine for the second time?

  1. Advanced Health Directives which include:
    1. Designation of a Health Care Proxy
    2. HIPAA release
    3. Living Will
  2. Durable Power of Attorney
    1. This important document grants the power to your designated representative to manage your financial affairs, survives your potential incapacity, and stays in force until you choose to revoke it (you can shred it to pieces if you desire) or your death.
  3. Confirmation that any retirement accounts, life insurance policies and the like have listed beneficiaries.

I am happy to answer any questions you have regarding the above mentioned documents. A bit of your time and money will guaranty that you can pretend to be any age you want, while feeling secure that you and your loved ones are protected.

For the record, I have heard that AARP offers some excellent discounts. For the moment, however, I will stick to the savings during Tax Free Week, which for the record starts today, August 21st and continues through next Saturday. Happy Shopping.

-Karen

Karen Elise Robbins is an attorney admitted to practice law in Connecticut. She has completed her L.L.M. degree in Elder Law and Estate Planning from Western New England School of Law. She can be contacted at (860)871-8000 or [email protected].