title: The importance of planning for the future.
abstract: This article explains various mechanisms that are available to plan for the future prior to the development of incapacity. These include powers of attorney, revocable living trusts, advance medical directives such as powers of attorney for health care and living wills, psychiatric advance directives and guardianships and conservatorships. Case examples are utilized to illustrate the consequences of a failure to plan and what can be accomplished through advance planning. The suitability of each such mechanism is dependent on the situation of each individual Additionally, the specific details of each mechanism may vary across states.
authors.affiliation: Hickman and Lowder Co. LPA, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lowder
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Buzney
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loue
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D010934:Planning Techniques; D014481:United States