It is something none of us want to contemplate - mental incapacity.  Being live, but unable to make important decisions. We make wills to distribute our wealth after we die and to provide for the people that we leave behind.  But making arrangements if we can no longer make them for ourselves is as important.  It is not just about making arrangement for yourself.  It is about making things easier for the people we burden with our care.

Unfortunately, it can be expensive and complicated for someone to obtain the authority to be our substitute decision maker after we become mentally incapable.  There are various protections to protect our rights over our person and property. May mean thousands of dollars in costs and a court proceeding. 

This can usually be avoided by doing Powers of Attorney when we are able.  If we do it, rather than a court, we get to pick the decision-maker and set some of the rules!

Powers of Attorney are part of your essential "In Case Of ..." planning.

These articles may be of interest:

• Powers of Attorney
• Are Powers of Attorney Enough?
• Applications for Appointment as Guardian of Mentally Incapable Person
• About Disabled Children Who Become Adults