Power of Attorney & Estate Planning for Aging Parents

The legal paperwork involved in a parent's transition is often the piece families handle too late, and the consequences can be serious. A durable power of attorney lets you manage finances if a parent becomes incapacitated. A healthcare proxy or medical power of attorney governs medical decisions. An advance directive captures your parent's wishes before they can no longer communicate them. If a parent dies without a will, state intestacy laws determine who inherits, and probate can take months or longer. This section covers power of attorney, guardianship, advance directives, wills, estate planning, and what to do in the weeks after a parent dies. All guides are written in plain language for families, not attorneys.