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10 LIVE IT UP! SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL Getting Your Ducks in a Row: Is your family going to suffer if something happens to you? L egal documents exist that can save your family from frustration and provide clarity in a time of tragedy or illness. If you become incapac- itated, whether from an immediate event such as a car accident or from a slower-paced event such as dementia, no action can be taken on your behalf until a Conservatorship is granted in court. Without proper plan- ning, many questions will arise. Who will make medi- cal decisions for you? What should these decisions be? Who should be in charge of your finances? These questions can make your loved ones anxious and angry at one another. Two crucial documents called an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD) and a Du- rable Power of Attorney can prevent this disagreement. Not only can the arguing be prevented, but you can avoid a Conservatorship proceeding altogether. An AHCD nominates a person to make medical decisions for you in the event that you are unable to make or communicate them yourself. It can spec- ify what these decisions should be and more. A Power of Attorney gives a person the authority to act as the agent of your finances. Unless there are looming capacity issues, a Power of Attorney should be "springing." This means that the Power of Attorney does not take effect until a "springing" event occurs. Usually, this event is the signature of two indepen- dent doctors stating their belief that you no longer have capacity. Be wary of anyone that tries to get you to sign a Power of Attorney that takes effect immediately because this is an area where a lot of elder abuse occurs. If you give someone a Power of Attorney over your finances, this person can potentially drain your accounts. Proceed with caution and have an inde- pendent party review the document before you sign it. Most lawyers include an AHCD and a "springing" Durable Power of Attor- ney as part of any will or trust package. Consult an attorney if you would like to spare your family the hard- ship and uncertainty that can occur if you become in- capacitated, and you would like to avoid the delays and expense associated with a Conservatorship. Written by Shelli Strahle, Esq. SBN 288839 - Strahle Legacy Planning. You can reach her at shelli@santacruzestateplanning.com Santa Cruz Count y's A d j u s t a b l e B e d H e a d q u a r t e r s Sleep on a Premium Latex Bed for Half the Price of a Traditional Mattress!!! Many Adjustable Beds are Purchased for: 21 STYLES OF MATTRESSES 2 PIECE TWIN SETS START AT $179.00! CUSTOM SIZE MATTRESSES | FUTONS BEDROOM FURNITURE | BUNK BEDS METAL BEDS Serving Santa Cruz for 25 Years Open 7 Days 831.423.5114 1005 Water Street, Santa Cruz www.mattressoutletsantacruz.com Mattress Factory Outlet RECOMMENDED BY: SYNERGY HOMECARE 831.824.7676 • Back Conditions • Breathing Issues • Arthritis • Stress & Tension Relief • Pure Comfort • Heart & Circulatory Improvement • Reading/Watching TV in Bed • Working on a Laptop in Bed • Acid Reflux om Queen Adjustable Beds Starting at $1999