By Catherine Haug, October 15, 2017
The “Dear Annie” column in today’s Daily Inter Lake newspaper featured a letter from ‘Alone’ who asks, “How do you decide on an executor, a durable power of attorney, and a medical power of attorney if you have no family or healthy young-enough friends?”
This got my attention because I’ve often asked myself that same question. I too have no blood family and few healthy young-enough friends. Even if you do have family, you never know if one of them will pass on before you do. Fortunately, I have a good attorney whom I trust, to help me. But if you don’t, Annie provided excellent advice.
Where too find help for these questions
The following is from Annie’s reply:
- “One option is to talk to your bank’s trust division about using the bank as an executor.
- Another is an attorney specializing in elder law.
- If you need help finding a professional, the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (naepc.org) and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) are good places to start.”