Almost 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. are dealing with some degree of mental health issues. The idea of mental illness is something that we all need to discuss and understand. It can make routine and everyday tasks feel more complicated than they are. But we cannot avoid living our life. And estate planning with mental illness is no exception.
If you have a mental illness, you will want to take additional steps to protect yourself and your future. An estate plan is not just your end-of-life plan. There is a possibility that, at some point, you may need short-term or long-term help to manage your affairs. Whether you need someone to keep your life organized for a couple of months or longer, here are some documents you may need:
Before you draft or sign anything in your estate plan, you may want to have a licensed mental health professional write a letter. This letter can attest that you are in good mental capacity when you put these documents in place.
It is important to notify your estate planning attorney of any mental health issues you have. With this understanding, an experienced attorney can take additional steps when setting up your estate plan. They can tailor your documents to your unique needs and consider your family dynamics.
It is not uncommon for a family member to fight the will or trust due to your mental capacity. For this reason, you need a professional estate planning attorney who understands your situation and can help protect you and your assets.
Do you have questions about estate planning with mental illness? Contact us to speak with an attorney who understands your unique situation. To schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney, call us at 630-864-5835.
AREAS WE SERVE: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties
