GUARDIANSHIP
– ARTICLE 81
Making
decisions about your loved one’s care can be difficult.
Care-taking arrangements can be overwhelming. Disagreements and
resentment can occur over your loved one’s best interests.
Frustration and hard feelings among siblings and family members
can result. At a time when families need to work together, these
situations frequently tear families apart. Rather than an adversarial,
court-appointed guardian to make decisions for you and your family,
an alternative is mediation.
Mediation
enables families to make their own decisions about decision making
authority, care-taking responsibilities, power of attorney and
health care proxy arrangements, housing and transportation arrangements,
visitation and holiday schedules. ACCORD’s exclusive Golden
Pathways Plan™ uses mediation
to provide a plan for families and their aging loved ones when
faced with a major life transition.
•
The
process encourages research and the collection of facts,
information
and resources
•
Each participant presents their point of view
•
Advantages and disadvantages are considered
•
Final decisions are negotiated and a written caring
plan
is then implemented. |
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ESTATE
PLANNING and PROBATE
Probate
is a legal process during which a will is validated, the assets
of the deceased are inventoried, and all debts, creditor claims
(including applicable lawsuits) and taxes are paid. Then, once
it is determined who is entitled by the probate proceedings, the
remaining assets that are left in the will are distributed to
the named beneficiaries and heirs.
The
probate process is generally overseen by an executor, if there
is a will, or by a court, and a court appointed personal representative,
if there is no will. Probate can take anywhere from four months
to a number of years to be completed, depending on the circumstances.
Mediation
can help families avoid the delays and frustration associated
with probate, by working with ACCORD’s network of financial
planners and estate attorneys. Our exclusive Golden Pathways
Plan™ uses mediation to help provide you and your
family direction and a plan.
SIBLING
CONFLICTS
It
is often difficult for families to discuss or agree upon important
issues that involve their aging loved ones. Parents can be reluctant
to discuss their private or financial matters with their children.
Similarly, adult siblings frequently disagree about their aging
parents’ needs and how best to address them. Mediation can
be a process for families to find solutions to all types of issues.
FINANCES
and HOUSING
When
facing a major life transition, seniors and their families often
do not know where to begin with regards to housing, finances,
long-term care and estate planning. ACCORD’s exclusive Golden
Pathways Plan™ uses the mediation
process to help you and your family create a solution that eases
stress and anxiety. Our comprehensive process will help you:
•
Link
with local resources, advocates and professionals
•
Arrive at a pre-transitional care-taking plan
•
Find effective ways to share care-taking responsibilities
•
Manage bill paying and other financial matters
•
Apply for Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance
•
Research government-related entitlements
•
Understand
and implement gifting and estate planning
•
Establish
Wills, a Living Will and Health Care Proxy
•
Arrange
Power of Attorney and Trusts to avoid probate
•
Consider
long-term care insurance, life insurance
•
Decide
on housing arrangements
•
Address
safety and protection issues
•
Determine
appropriate health and wellness care
•
Ensure
quality of life |
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The
following links may offer some additional information for your
particular situation:
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