As a North Carolina estate planning and elder law attorney, I've seen how stressful it can be for families when important documents aren't readily available. Often, the family isn't dealing with a lack of planning. The parents actually did the responsible thing and had documents prepared. The problem is that nobody knows where to find them.

And when a medical emergency, cognitive decline, or death occurs, that missing information can create delays, confusion, unnecessary expenses, and additional stress during an already difficult time. The good news? This is one of the easiest estate planning problems to prevent.

You can have a beautifully drafted revocable living trust sitting safely in your estate planning binder, but if the assets that are supposed to be governed by that trust never make their way into it, your family may not receive all of the benefits you created the trust to provide.

Imagine if you were in an accident today and couldn’t speak for yourself. Who would talk to the doctors for you? Who would pay your mortgage, handle your bank account, or make sure your bills were covered while you were in the hospital? Without a Healthcare Proxy and a Durable Power of Attorney, your family could be left waiting, arguing, or even going to court before anything gets done. These two documents make sure the right people can step in right away, protecting your health, your money, and your loved ones.