About The Law – September 2010

Barry Gordon

Where There is a Will, There is a Relative

You may have heard me say this before but it is so important that it needs to be repeated:

These days families are not waiting for the parent to die –  they are starting early to cause everlasting friction.

More and more adult children are fighting with each other and with their parents about parental care, control of estates and exercising control.  It is important that parents decide for themselves how they want to be cared for, and will be left for them.

Parents should make certain that they have their primary care physicians provide a certification about their competency at the time they are signing wills and other estate planning documents – especially if there is any possibility that someone might later be inclined to claim that the parent was not capable of signing their own documents and making their own decisions.

Any person designated as power of attorney and/or health care proxy should truly understand the wishes of the person who gave them the power.  Powers should be given to those relatives and professionals who are empathetic and competent, not merely because they are a child or a spouse.

Plan ahead and do not hesitate if you decide to make changes.  At Gordon, Mond & Ott, P.C. we will give you the opportunity to build in continued planning for a set fee.  Call Barry Gordon. 617- 786- 0800.

By Barry Gordon,
Attorney at Law
bgordon@gmo-law.com

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