Essential Legal Preparation: Seven Documents for Personal and Finances
Legal Guidelines Outlining Seven Key Provisions
In light of the importance of self-determining one's future, individuals are advised to create crucial legal documents to clearly state their wishes, especially concerning healthcare and inheritance. Neglecting such paperwork can lead to confusion and conflicting interpretations in case of incapacitation or death.
While the necessity of a will is universally recognized, other documents are equally essential but often overlooked. To ensure clarity and avoid potential disputes, individuals should seek advice from legal professionals, notaries, estate planners, or consumer centers. The following seven documents are indispensable:
1. Last Will and Testament
A last will and testament is a fundamental document that outlines how an individual wants their assets distributed upon their death. It can be drafted with the help of an attorney or through online legal platforms offering templates, provided it is properly signed and witnessed according to local laws.
2. Inheritance Contract
An inheritance contract, established in contract form between at least two parties, fixes an individual's last will. This can be useful for unmarried couples, siblings, or entrepreneurs aiming to ensure a smooth succession, preventing potential damage to the business after death. As with a will, an inheritance contract must always be certified by a notary.
3. Advance Healthcare Directive
An advance healthcare directive allows individuals to determine their desired medical treatment if they are unable to express themselves due to illness or injury. It's imperative to formulate one's wishes as precisely as possible, avoiding vague statements that may lead to different interpretations.
4. Power of Attorney for Care
A power of attorney for care authorizes trusted persons to make decisions and act on behalf of the individual in case of business or incapacity, covering health and property aspects. It can be created online or in a notarial form, but real estate transactions require public certification and notarization.
5. General Power of Attorney
A general power of attorney grants attorneys-in-fact broad authority to represent the principal in almost all legal and economic matters. Especially valuable for business owners, a general power of attorney can protect a company from potential damage and retain its viability even after the owner's death.
6. Guardianship Directive
A guardianship directive specifies the person the guardianship court should appoint as guardian in case of guardianship, such as in cases of dementia. Generally, caregivers choose trusted relatives or spouses as guardians. This directive can be created independently online.
7. Organ Donor Card
Individuals wishing to donate organs after their death may specify their intentions in an advance healthcare directive or power of attorney, although an additional organ donor card is not required. Applications for donor cards can be obtained from doctor's offices, pharmacies, or online via organspende-info.de.
Seeking legal advice and creating these documents ensure that an individual's personal and financial affairs are managed according to their intentions, providing peace of mind during emergencies or end-of-life situations.
In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it is crucial to not only address physical health concerns but also consider mental well-being, especially as we age. A community policy on mental health and a health policy that supports mental health programs could be beneficial for elderly individuals, promoting their overall wellness.
Given the importance of healthcare planning, an advance healthcare directive should also address mental health issues and treatments. This could align with the science of aging, which continues to shed light on the complexities of mental health in the elderly population.
