Hartford estate planning attorneys provide help to people in all different situations. Virtually everyone should have an estate plan in place, even if you do not have a lot of wealth and even if you do not have a lot of close family members that you need to provide for. You should still have a plan to determine what happens to your assets and to address issues such as what kinds of care you do and don’t wish to receive at the end of your life. 
While talking with Hartford estate planning attorneys is always important, it can be especially essential to get legal help from an experienced attorney when you have specific life milestones occur or when you have a specific family situation.
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can provide you with insight into the key issues that could be important in making your estate plan based on your family situation, and you can read on below to find out about three key circumstances when you should definitely talk to Hartford estate planning attorneys.
When You Have a Baby
When you first have a baby, you now have a child who is reliant upon you for everything including physical care and financial support. A key part of your responsibilities as a parent involve making certain that your child is OK even if something happens to you.
This means you should work with an estate planning attorney to name a guardian for your child in case your child is orphaned or in case you and the other parent become incapacitated and cannot raise the child to adulthood because of it. By naming a guardian, you decide who raises your kids when you can’t and you ensure there won’t be a custody battle with your kids caught in the middle.
When Your Child is Disabled
If your child is disabled, your estate plan may need to involve providing a lifetime of care and support — and making sure a trusted person can manage your child’s care and the assets you’ve provide once you are no longer around. You can work with Hartford estate planning attorneys to create a comprehensive plan to ensure your disabled child has a safe place to live after you are gone, will be cared for, and will be provided for financially.
You’ll need to make sure you have provided an inheritance in a way that does not cause your disabled child to lose access to any means-tested benefits he or she might be receiving, such as Medicaid benefits. You will also need to make certain that the money is appropriately managed on your disabled child’s behalf. A special needs trust is the ideal tool for most parents to use to achieve these objectives.
When You Are Diagnosed with a Serious Illness
If you have been diagnosed with a serious illness, it becomes important to talk with Hartford estate planning attorneys so you can make certain that you have provided specific instructions for what should happen to your money and property after you pass on. You want to do this before your illness progresses and you lose the ability to control your legacy.
You should also plan for incapacity, so this means naming someone to make decisions on your behalf and manage assets and property when you can no longer do so. It also means creating a living will to provide advanced instructions for healthcare in case you cannot communicate your preferences, and taking steps to ensure that you can get nursing home care covered if your illness makes it impossible for you to continue living on your own.
Getting Help from Hartford Estate Planning Attorneys
Hartford estate planning attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can provide you with personalized help in making plans for your future. We can provide you with the guidance that you need to address life milestones — both good and bad — and to ensure that you are as prepared and ready as possible to protect yourself and your loved ones.
To find out more about the ways in which our legal team can help you with legal issues related to making a comprehensive estate plan, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online today to get your plans underway.
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