Life can change in an instant. Whether it’s a sudden illness, an accident, or an unexpected financial challenge, having an estate plan ensures you and your loved ones are protected. At Delaney Law in Brevard, NC, we help families throughout Western North Carolina prepare for the unknown with personalized, compassionate legal guidance.
Real-Life Consequences of No Plan
We’ve seen it time and time again—families in Transylvania County and beyond left scrambling because a loved one didn’t have an estate plan in place. Without clear instructions, relatives must navigate emotional decisions about health care, finances, and guardianship during already stressful times.
How to Get Started:
- Talk to your family – Have an open conversation about what would happen if someone became ill or passed unexpectedly.
- List your concerns – Write down any worries about your finances, health care, or guardianship so you know what to prioritize in your plan.
- Schedule a consultation – Meet with an estate planning attorney in Brevard, NC to start building a plan that fits your family’s needs.
Emergency Health Care Directives: Be Ready When It Matters
An estate plan isn’t just about what happens after you pass—it’s also about how you live. In an emergency, your Living Will and Health Care Proxy ensure that your medical wishes are followed.
Make sure your health care proxy:
- Knows your preferences for treatment.
- Has access to your list of prescriptions and supplements.
- Is aware of your insurance details, including VA benefits or long-term care policies.
- Understands your preferred living situation if you can no longer live independently.
How to Get Started:
- Create a Living Will – Outline your preferences for life-saving treatment, resuscitation, and long-term care.
- Choose a Health Care Proxy – Pick someone you trust and give them written authority to make decisions if you can’t.
- Organize your medical info – Gather your prescriptions, insurance cards, and care preferences in one place, and share them with your proxy.
Protecting Your Assets from the Unexpected
Without an estate plan, sudden financial losses can devastate a family. By setting up proper trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal tools, you can shield your assets from unforeseen expenses and ensure they are used to support your loved ones, not lost in probate.
How to Get Started:
- Take inventory – List your major assets: home, retirement accounts, life insurance, savings, and valuable personal items.
- Evaluate risks – Think about what could affect your assets unexpectedly (illness, lawsuits, taxes) and what you want to protect.
- Set up powers of attorney – Assign someone to handle your finances if you’re unable to, ensuring your bills and obligations are managed.
Guardianship for Children: Think Short and Long Term
Many parents assume naming a guardian in their will is enough—but what if something happens while you’re still alive but incapacitated? A will only takes effect after death. Your estate plan should include temporary and permanent guardianship documents to ensure your children are cared for immediately, no matter what.
How to Get Started:
- Identify potential guardians – Consider both long-term and short-term options and discuss your wishes with them.
- Document your choice – Work with an attorney to legally name guardians outside of just your will, for both temporary and permanent care.
- Write a letter of intent – Share your parenting values, routines, and hopes for your children to guide their guardians if needed.
Business Owners: Don’t Leave Your Legacy to Chance
If you own a small business in Brevard or elsewhere in Western NC, you’ve worked hard to build something valuable. But what happens to your business if you’re suddenly unable to run it? A Contingency Plan outlines how your business will operate in your absence, protects your clients and employees, and gives your family access to the assets you’ve built.
How to Get Started:
- Outline daily operations – Write down what you do day-to-day in your business so someone else could step in if needed.
- Choose a successor – Decide who would handle client communication, employee needs, and finances in an emergency.
- Draft a contingency plan – Work with an estate planner to ensure your business assets are accessible to your family and your team.
Don’t Wait: Start Your Estate Plan Today
The best time to plan is now—before the unexpected happens. At Delaney Law, we specialize in helping local families protect their futures with customized estate plans tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re in Brevard, Asheville, Hendersonville, or anywhere in Western North Carolina, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
How to Get Started:
- Contact Delaney Law – We offer personalized consultations for families and business owners in Brevard and Western NC.
- Gather your documents – Bring your ID, asset lists, existing legal papers, and any questions you have to your appointment.
- Commit to peace of mind – Take the first step to protect your future and ensure your family is ready for whatever life brings.
