Your Guide to Asset Protection for Seniors in Jackson
Protecting assets as you age is an important part of planning for health care, long-term care, and preserving a legacy for family. In Jackson, Tennessee, families turn to local estate planning and probate counsel for sensible, practical steps that reduce financial risk while keeping control where possible. This page explains common strategies available to seniors, outlines the decisions you may face, and describes how a thoughtful plan can reduce the risk of losing assets to long-term care costs or unexpected liabilities. If you are considering planning steps, a clear understanding of options and trade-offs will help you make confident choices.
Good asset protection planning balances access to benefits, creditor protection, and the client’s personal wishes. For many seniors in Jackson, a plan begins with organizing documents, reviewing ownership, and evaluating eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid. Estate planning tools like trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations can be tailored to your situation to protect assets while honoring family priorities. Every situation is different, and a careful, local approach considers Tennessee law, Medicare and Medicaid rules, and how asset transfers may affect eligibility or inheritance expectations over time.
Why Asset Protection Matters for Seniors in Jackson
Asset protection helps seniors preserve wealth intended for family members and personal needs while preparing for potential long-term care expenses. By planning ahead, families can avoid rushed decisions during a crisis and create legal structures that protect a home, savings, and other property. A well-crafted plan can also streamline decision-making if a person becomes incapacitated and clarify who will manage finances and health care decisions. For seniors in Jackson, these benefits reduce stress and uncertainty while improving the likelihood that assets pass to heirs according to the client’s wishes and not by default or emergency transfers.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Senior Asset Protection
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients across Tennessee, including Jackson and Madison County, with estate planning and probate matters focused on practical results for seniors and families. Our attorneys bring years of experience handling planning documents, Medicaid planning matters, and probate administration under Tennessee law. We emphasize clear communication, realistic option appraisal, and step-by-step guidance to help clients understand choices and consequences. When working with seniors, the firm prioritizes preserving dignity, protecting assets, and preparing for the future with documents that reflect current wishes and family circumstances.
Understanding Asset Protection Services for Seniors
Asset protection for seniors is a set of legal planning actions designed to preserve assets from excessive depletion, provide for long-term care needs, and secure benefits eligibility when appropriate. Planning commonly includes trusts, powers of attorney, advance health directives, beneficiary review, and Medicaid planning where needed. Each tool has trade-offs; for example, some transfers affect benefits eligibility or limit control over assets. Understanding these trade-offs and how Tennessee law applies helps seniors and families decide which tools make sense for their situation and timelines, and allows a plan to be implemented with minimal disruption.
A careful review will document existing asset ownership, identify exempt resources under state rules, and suggest actions to preserve eligibility for public benefits should long-term care become necessary. Planning also looks at possible creditor exposures, the presence of a family business or rental property, and the need to protect assets for heirs. Seniors who start planning while healthy retain more options and control, and those with limited time can pursue targeted steps to achieve immediate protection while postponing more complex moves until they are ready.
What Asset Protection Means for Seniors
Asset protection for seniors encompasses strategies to help preserve wealth, maintain access to necessary benefits, and control how assets are managed and distributed. It is not about hiding assets but rather arranging affairs in ways allowed by law to reduce preventable loss. Common goals include protecting the family home, ensuring eligibility for Medicaid or veteran benefits when needed, avoiding unnecessary probate delays, and establishing decision-making authority through durable powers of attorney. A plan is tailored to the senior’s health outlook, family dynamics, and financial picture to balance protection, control, and benefits.
Core Elements and Typical Planning Processes
An asset protection plan typically begins with an inventory of assets, review of beneficiary designations, and assessment of potential long-term care needs. Core documents often include wills, revocable or irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advance directives for health care. For clients who may seek Medicaid benefits, planning can include allowable transfers, spend-down strategies, and use of exempt resources to preserve housing and income streams. The process usually involves consultation, document drafting, funding of trusts if applicable, and periodic reviews to adjust for life changes and changes in the law.
Key Terms and Glossary for Senior Asset Protection
The following glossary clarifies common terms you will encounter during planning. Knowing these definitions will help you understand options and the implications of each tool. Terms cover trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning concepts, and other legal devices used to protect assets while maintaining access to care and honoring your wishes. If any term is unclear, ask for an explanation tailored to your situation so decisions can be made with confidence and clarity about how Tennessee law affects outcomes.
Trusts
A trust is a legal arrangement where one person or entity holds property for the benefit of another. Trusts can be revocable, allowing the creator to change or revoke them during life, or irrevocable, which generally provides stronger protection but limits control. For seniors, trusts can help avoid probate, streamline asset management, and in certain forms and timeframes, assist with preservation of benefits eligibility. Funding a trust and selecting a trustee are important decisions that affect control, taxation, and the degree of protection offered, and should be made with a clear plan.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid planning involves arranging finances and assets in a way that aligns with Medicaid eligibility rules so a senior can access long-term care benefits when necessary. Planning must respect look-back periods and other program rules that can affect eligibility if assets are transferred improperly. The goal is to preserve qualifying assets while ensuring that a person receives appropriate care. Options may include converting assets to exempt resources, creating properly timed trusts, or restructuring ownership, all subject to state and federal regulations that require careful timing and documentation.
Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney for finances is a document that appoints someone to manage financial matters if you become unable to do so. It allows a trusted person to pay bills, manage accounts, and make financial decisions on your behalf according to the authority you grant. A separate advance health care directive or medical power of attorney names someone to make health care decisions when you cannot. Both documents are central to effective asset protection planning because they prevent delay and confusion if incapacity occurs and provide named decision-makers who can act according to your wishes.
Guardianship and Conservatorship
Guardianship and conservatorship are court processes that appoint someone to make decisions for an incapacitated person when no valid powers of attorney exist. Guardians typically handle personal and health care decisions, while conservators manage financial affairs. These proceedings can be time-consuming and public, and are often more restrictive than private planning tools. Effective asset protection aims to minimize the need for court intervention by establishing clear, durable documents while the senior still has capacity to decide who should act on their behalf.
Comparing Limited and Comprehensive Asset Protection Options
Choosing between a limited, targeted approach and a comprehensive asset protection plan depends on your assets, health outlook, family situation, and tolerance for giving up control. A limited approach may address an immediate need, such as updating beneficiary designations or creating a power of attorney, and can be completed quickly. A comprehensive plan is broader and may involve trusts, transfer strategies, and coordination with financial plans to address long-term care risk and inheritance goals. Evaluating both approaches with someone familiar with Tennessee rules helps determine the right balance for your circumstances.
When a Limited Asset Protection Approach May Be Sufficient:
Suitable for Simple Asset and Family Situations
A limited approach can be appropriate when a senior has straightforward finances, modest assets, and clear family arrangements. If there is little risk of long-term nursing care, and the primary goals are to ensure decisions can be made if capacity is lost and to avoid probate delays, targeted updates to wills, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney may be adequate. These steps are efficient and less costly than creating complex trust structures and often provide sufficient protection for many households with predictable needs and minimal creditor exposure.
Appropriate When Time or Resources Are Constrained
Sometimes families need immediate, practical protection but are not prepared for a full planning overhaul. In those cases, a limited approach delivers essential documents and clarifies decision-makers while buying time to evaluate longer-term strategies. This can include organizing important records, updating titles and beneficiaries, and creating durable powers of attorney and health directives. Those measures improve readiness for unexpected events and reduce the likelihood of court-appointed guardianship while preserving the option to pursue more advanced planning later if circumstances change.
When a Comprehensive Asset Protection Plan Is Advisable:
Significant Long-Term Care Risk or High Costs
A comprehensive plan is often warranted when a senior faces a high likelihood of needing long-term care, when projected care costs could exhaust savings, or when preserving assets for heirs is a top priority. Comprehensive planning may include trusts, Medicaid timing strategies, and coordination with retirement income to protect property and savings. These measures can be multidimensional and require careful legal structuring and funding to align with state rules while meeting goals for asset preservation, control, and legacy planning over the long run.
Complex Family or Business Interests Require Detailed Planning
When a senior’s estate includes business interests, rental properties, or blended-family concerns, a comprehensive plan helps address competing interests and control issues. Thoughtful structuring can protect a lifeline of income for the senior, protect a family business from creditor claims, and set clear rules for how assets pass to different beneficiaries. Such planning reduces disputes and administrative burdens, and creates a coherent roadmap that honors intentions while safeguarding assets needed for care and family continuity.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Asset Protection Approach
A comprehensive approach looks at the whole financial picture to reduce risk, preserve important assets, and provide clarity about future care and distributions. By combining documents, ownership planning, and benefits analysis, the plan can protect resources while maintaining reasonable access to funds for living expenses. Comprehensive planning also anticipates future events and provides for updates, which is especially important for seniors whose circumstances or laws may change over time. This forward-looking approach often prevents rushed decisions during health crises and helps families avoid costly legal disputes.
Comprehensive planning also creates a clear framework for family communication and decision-making, designates who will act if incapacity occurs, and reduces uncertainty about asset distribution. A unified plan can coordinate with financial advisors, minimize probate complications, and specify how care costs are handled while preserving access to benefits. For many seniors, the result is greater stability and a higher likelihood that assets intended for loved ones will be preserved in line with the client’s wishes rather than dissipated by unexpected expenses or unclear arrangements.
Improved Eligibility Management for Benefits
One key benefit of a comprehensive plan is better management of eligibility for programs like Medicaid without sacrificing important assets unnecessarily. Planning can identify exempt resources and properly timed steps that preserve housing and income while enabling access to long-term care benefits when needed. Thoughtful timing and documentation reduce the risk of penalties or disqualification. This careful alignment of legal tools with benefit rules allows seniors to maintain stability and dignity while receiving necessary care, and helps families plan for the financial impact of that care.
Clear Decision-Making and Reduced Family Conflict
A comprehensive plan clarifies who will make financial and health decisions if a senior cannot, and sets out the distribution of assets in a way that reduces ambiguity and dispute. Clear documents and communication lower the chance of family conflict and costly court involvement. In addition, ongoing reviews and updates ensure the plan remains aligned with changing circumstances, helping families avoid surprises and ensuring that the senior’s wishes are understood and respected over time.
Practice Areas
Top Searched Keywords
- asset protection Jackson TN
- elder asset protection Tennessee
- Medicaid planning Jackson TN
- senior estate planning Jackson
- asset protection attorney Jackson
- long-term care planning Tennessee
- irrevocable trust Tennessee
- power of attorney Jackson
- elder law Jackson TN
Pro Tips for Protecting Senior Assets in Jackson
Start Planning While Healthy
Begin asset protection planning early to maintain the widest range of options and preserve decision-making control. Starting while you have capacity allows you to select trusted decision-makers, structure transfers correctly, and align documents with your personal goals. Early planning also helps avoid rushed choices during health crises and reduces the need for court appointment of guardians or conservators. Taking initial steps now—such as updating beneficiary designations, organizing records, and creating powers of attorney—creates a strong foundation for more detailed planning later if it becomes necessary.
Organize and Document Financial Records
Review Beneficiaries and Ownership
Regularly review beneficiary designations and how assets are titled because these details determine how property passes and whether probate is necessary. Small oversights, such as an outdated beneficiary on an account or joint ownership that unintentionally conveys control, can undermine broader protection goals. Confirm that beneficiary designations reflect current wishes and coordinate account titling with your estate plan. These routine reviews ensure that your planning tools work together and prevent unintended consequences when assets are distributed or when eligibility for benefits is evaluated.
Reasons to Consider Asset Protection for Seniors in Jackson
You should consider asset protection if you want to preserve resources for family, reduce the risk that long-term care will exhaust savings, or avoid lengthy probate proceedings. Planning is also appropriate if you want to name clear decision-makers for health and finances, protect a family residence, or support a dependent family member. Proactive planning improves peace of mind and ensures that your wishes are documented and actionable, which can avoid confusion and conflict should health or cognitive status change unexpectedly.
Consideration is particularly important if you have significant assets, a family business, or property that you wish to preserve for heirs, or if you are concerned about future care costs. Early planning gives you more options and control, while delayed planning can limit choices or create penalties under benefit rules. Even modest estates benefit from clear documents that name decision-makers and streamline administration, making asset protection appropriate for a wide range of circumstances and family situations.
Common Circumstances That Lead Seniors to Seek Asset Protection
Seniors seek asset protection when they face declining health, potential long-term care needs, changes in family dynamics, or when they want to protect a home or business. Other triggers include upcoming surgical procedures, concerns about creditor claims, or the desire to qualify for benefits while preserving assets for heirs. Recognizing these circumstances early allows for steps that reduce risk and create clear pathways for managing finances and health decisions if complications arise.
Approaching Long-Term Care Needs
When a senior anticipates possible long-term care, either due to chronic conditions or advancing age, planning can help manage how assets will be used to pay for care while preserving property and income for the household. Actions may include evaluating Medicaid eligibility, adjusting asset ownership where appropriate, and establishing trusts or other structures timed to local rules. Early planning reduces the chance of costly, last-minute transfers and helps families make deliberate choices aligned with the senior’s priorities and legal constraints.
Desire to Protect a Home or Family Business
Protecting a primary residence or family business often motivates seniors to take action. These assets may be central to family identity and financial security, and preserving them requires thoughtful structuring to reduce exposure to creditors and to address how they will pass to heirs. Solutions can involve trusts, carefully considered titling, and succession planning that balance control during life with asset protection for the next generation, all while complying with Tennessee law and applicable benefit rules.
Preparing for Incapacity and Avoiding Court Intervention
Many seniors take planning steps to avoid the time, expense, and publicity of court-ordered guardianship or conservatorship. Establishing durable powers of attorney and advance health directives ensures that trusted people can make financial and health care decisions without court involvement. These documents provide a private, efficient way to manage affairs if capacity changes, and they give family members clear authority to act according to the senior’s documented preferences and instructions.
Jackson Asset Protection Attorney — Jay Johnson Law Firm
Jay Johnson Law Firm is available to help seniors and their families in Jackson and across Madison County with asset protection planning tailored to individual goals and Tennessee law. We aim to provide practical, clear guidance on trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning considerations, and probate avoidance strategies. Call 731-206-9700 to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation, learn what options are realistic for your circumstances, and begin drafting documents that reflect your wishes while protecting assets for the future.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Asset Protection in Jackson
Families choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for a thoughtful, locally focused approach to elder planning that emphasizes clear communication and practical solutions. We help clients understand the trade-offs of different strategies and create documents that reflect personal priorities. Our goal is to make planning manageable and to minimize surprises by anticipating common issues under Tennessee law. We work with clients to develop plans that preserve assets while addressing care needs and family goals with an emphasis on practical results.
The firm assists with a full range of elder planning tools, from wills and powers of attorney to trust formation and Medicaid timing strategies. We coordinate with financial and care professionals when appropriate to ensure plans are realistic and effective. Our focus is on helping clients make informed decisions in a way that fits their comfort level, timeline, and family dynamics, whether they need a few targeted documents or a broader, long-term plan.
Clients in Jackson receive personalized attention and guidance through each stage of planning and implementation. We provide clear explanations of how actions may affect benefits eligibility and inheritance goals, and we assist with document execution and follow-up reviews. When a plan is implemented thoughtfully, families gain confidence that assets are better protected, decision-makers are named, and future transitions will be smoother and less stressful for loved ones.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to Begin Asset Protection Planning
Our Asset Protection Process in Jackson, Tennessee
Our process begins with a detailed consultation to gather financial information, understand family goals, and identify immediate risks. From there we recommend a tailored plan that may include document drafting, trust formation, and coordination with advisors for funding and implementation. We explain options clearly, outline timelines, and assist with completing necessary transfers and paperwork. Periodic reviews ensure your plan stays current as laws and circumstances change, providing ongoing protection and peace of mind for you and your family.
Step 1: Initial Review and Goal Setting
In the first step we conduct a comprehensive review of assets, income sources, existing estate documents, and family dynamics to identify priorities and risk factors. Discussions cover potential care needs, the desire to preserve a home or business, and beneficiary intentions. With this information we set realistic goals and recommend a planning path that balances protection, control, and benefits eligibility under Tennessee law. This foundational step guides all subsequent drafting and implementation choices.
Gather Financial and Family Information
We ask clients to provide account statements, property deeds, insurance documents, retirement plan details, and a summary of debts and monthly expenses. Information about family members, health concerns, and existing planning documents is also helpful. This documentation allows us to evaluate how assets are owned, which resources may be exempt for benefits, and what actions are needed to align ownership and beneficiary designations with your goals while avoiding unintended consequences.
Assess Risks and Prioritize Actions
Using the information gathered, we assess risks such as potential long-term care costs, creditor exposure, and tax considerations. We prioritize actions that address the most immediate vulnerabilities, such as updating powers of attorney or clarifying beneficiary designations. For longer-term concerns, we propose staged solutions that can be implemented over time, ensuring that protection increases as needed while preserving options and the client’s control as much as possible.
Step 2: Plan Development and Document Drafting
Once goals are clear, we draft the necessary documents and design a plan to align asset ownership and beneficiary designations with those goals. This may include wills, revocable or irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advance directives. For clients pursuing benefits planning, we coordinate timing and transfers in accordance with Medicaid rules to avoid penalties. The drafting stage is collaborative, with reviews to ensure documents reflect the client’s wishes and practical needs.
Drafting Trusts and Legal Documents
Drafting involves preparing clear, enforceable documents that implement the chosen strategy while anticipating future changes in circumstances. Trust language, distribution instructions, and trustee powers are written to balance protection and flexibility. Durable powers of attorney and health care directives are drafted to provide authority to trusted agents and to articulate preferences for care. Attention to detail in this stage minimizes ambiguity and reduces the chance of disputes or unintended tax or benefits consequences later.
Coordination with Financial Advisors and Institutions
Effective implementation often requires coordination with banks, retirement plan administrators, insurance companies, and financial advisors to retitle assets and confirm beneficiary designations. We assist clients in communicating with these parties and provide the documentation needed to effect transfers or account changes. This coordination ensures that the legal documents are supported by the actual ownership and account settings, which is essential for the plan to function as intended.
Step 3: Implementation, Funding, and Review
After documents are signed, implementation includes funding trusts, retitling property, updating beneficiaries, and completing any required transfers. We help oversee these steps and verify that assets are aligned with the plan. Implementation is followed by scheduling periodic reviews to account for law changes, life events, or shifts in goals. Ongoing oversight ensures the plan remains effective and responsive to changing circumstances, so protection endures over time.
Implementing Transfers and Trust Funding
Funding a trust and completing transfers are critical actions that make documents operational. This can involve changing deeds, retitling bank accounts, or designating a trust as beneficiary of certain accounts. We provide guidance and coordination to ensure these steps are completed accurately and in a way that supports the intended protections. Proper implementation reduces the risk that estate planning documents fail to achieve their objectives when they are needed most.
Ongoing Monitoring and Document Updates
After implementation, periodic monitoring and updates are necessary to respond to changes in family circumstances, asset composition, or state and federal law. We recommend routine reviews to confirm beneficiary designations, titles, and the effectiveness of any trusts or planning devices. Regular check-ins help ensure that the plan continues to reflect the senior’s wishes and remains effective in protecting assets and accessing benefits when required.
Frequently Asked Questions about Asset Protection for Seniors in Jackson
What is asset protection planning for seniors?
Asset protection planning for seniors involves legal and financial steps to preserve resources, prepare for long-term care, and ensure that assets pass according to the senior’s wishes. It commonly includes wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advance health directives. The planning process evaluates how assets are owned, beneficiary designations, and potential exposure to care costs or creditors, then recommends practical measures to address those concerns. A thoughtful plan balances access to funds for living expenses with preservation for heirs and coordination with public benefits rules. Starting early preserves more options and prevents rushed decisions during health crises. Regular reviews keep the plan aligned with changing circumstances and laws.
How does Medicaid planning affect eligibility for benefits?
Medicaid planning focuses on arranging assets and income in ways that comply with Medicaid eligibility rules, which include look-back periods and resource limits. Improper transfers can lead to penalties or waiting periods, so timing and method matter. Effective planning identifies exempt resources and uses permitted strategies to preserve necessities such as a home or minimal income while qualifying for long-term care benefits when needed. Because the rules are specific and vary by state, understanding Tennessee’s policies is essential. Planning may involve spend-down strategies, use of trusts when appropriate, or restructuring ownership, and should be done with clear documentation and timing to avoid unintended consequences.
Can I transfer assets without affecting benefits?
Some transfers can be made without affecting benefits, but others may trigger penalties under Medicaid’s look-back rules. Gifts or transfers made within certain time frames before applying for benefits can create periods of ineligibility. The effect depends on the type of transfer, timing, and state rules. Therefore, transfers should be planned carefully with full knowledge of the consequences. Targeted actions, such as retitling accounts, updating beneficiary designations, or converting assets into exempt resources, can sometimes accomplish protection without jeopardizing benefits. Consultation and deliberate timing are essential to avoid mistakes that could delay eligibility for needed care.
What documents do I need to avoid guardianship proceedings?
To avoid guardianship or conservatorship, seniors should put in place clear, durable powers of attorney for finances and health care directives while they have capacity. These documents name trusted individuals to make decisions if the senior becomes incapacitated and provide instructions about medical preferences and financial management. Having these tools reduces the need for court intervention and keeps decision-making private and efficient. In addition to powers of attorney, well-drafted estate planning documents such as revocable trusts and updated beneficiary designations can further minimize the likelihood of court proceedings by ensuring a smooth transition of management and distribution of assets according to the senior’s wishes.
Are trusts necessary for every senior?
Trusts are useful tools but are not necessary for every senior. Whether a trust is appropriate depends on factors such as the value and type of assets, concerns about probate, potential long-term care costs, and family dynamics. Some estates are adequately handled with wills, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney, while others benefit from the additional control and protection a trust can provide. If the goal is to avoid probate, plan for incapacity, or manage distributions to heirs in specific ways, a trust may be advisable. Discussing your specific situation helps determine whether a trust or other simpler tools best meet your goals.
How often should I review my asset protection plan?
Review your asset protection plan whenever there is a major life change such as marriage, divorce, death of a beneficiary, purchase or sale of significant property, or a major change in health. Even without major events, an annual review or a check-in every few years is wise to confirm that documents reflect current wishes and that beneficiary designations and account titles still align with your plan. Changes in law can also affect planning strategies, so periodic reviews help ensure ongoing effectiveness. Regular updates preserve your intentions and prevent gaps that could lead to unintended outcomes or the need for court involvement.
Will protecting assets affect my taxes?
Some asset protection moves can have tax implications, depending on the type of transfer and the assets involved. For example, transferring appreciated property may trigger capital gains tax consequences for beneficiaries when sold. Trusts and other arrangements may have distinct tax treatment that should be considered alongside protection goals. Tax considerations are part of comprehensive planning, and we coordinate with financial and tax advisors when appropriate to structure actions that balance tax consequences with asset protection objectives. Clear planning helps avoid surprises and aligns financial, legal, and tax outcomes with your priorities.
Can I protect my home from long-term care costs?
Protecting a home is a common concern, and there are several strategies that may help preserve the family residence while planning for potential care needs. Options include homestead exemptions under state law, careful titling, and certain trust arrangements that preserve occupancy rights for a spouse or caregiver while addressing benefits eligibility concerns. The best approach depends on individual circumstances, including whether a spouse remains in the home, the need for Medicaid eligibility, and the family’s inheritance goals. Reviewing how the home is titled and considering tailored legal mechanisms can protect residency while fitting within a broader plan.
What role does a power of attorney play in asset protection?
A durable power of attorney is essential because it allows a designated person to manage finances if you cannot do so yourself. This authority simplifies bill payment, tax filings, and interactions with institutions, and it helps avoid court-appointed conservatorship. The document can be drafted to grant broad or limited powers depending on your comfort and needs. Similarly, a medical power of attorney or advance directive names someone to make health care decisions and communicates your treatment preferences. Together, these documents provide a private, efficient framework for decision-making and preserve your control over who acts on your behalf.
How much does asset protection planning typically cost?
The cost of asset protection planning varies with complexity and the specific services needed. Simple updates like creating a durable power of attorney and a will are generally less expensive than drafting trusts, coordinating Medicaid timing strategies, or handling complex business succession planning. Fees reflect time for consultation, drafting, and implementation steps such as retitling assets and coordinating with institutions. We provide clear fee estimates based on the services required and can propose staged approaches to spread planning over time if desired. The investment in planning often prevents more costly outcomes and reduces stress for families during difficult times.