Why Estate Planning is Important for First Responders

We owe many thanks and gratitude to first responders. You are the ones who put your life on the line for your community. An estate plan is important for everyone, perhaps even more so for first responders. Being in high-risk situations makes estate planning for first responders even more crucial.

Who are First Responders?

You are a rare group of people that runs into a bad situation instead of away from it. Emergency workers can include occupations such as:

• Firefighters
• Law enforcement officers
• Paramedics
• Emergency medical technicians
• Lifeguards

Because you are constantly in dangerous situations, having a solid estate plan is even more urgent for you. This will help your family and loved ones if you are injured or even killed.

Estate Planning for First Responders

An estate plan includes more than having a will. If you are hurt and unable to make decisions, you need someone to step in and take care of things until you have recovered. Several legal documents are important in case you pass away or become incapacitated. Some documents you will want to talk to your Illinois estate planning attorney are:

• A Will or Trust
  If you pass away, a will or trust will tell the courts how to distribute your assets when you’re gone. You’ve worked hard all your life, and passing away without a will or trust (also called intestate) means the court may give your belongings to people you never intended to have them.
• Financial Power of Attorney
  A financial power of attorney gives the person you choose to power to take care of your financial obligations. They will be able to pay your bills and access your accounts. This is one less thing for you to worry about while you recover.
• Medical Power of Attorney
  Similar to a financial POA, a medical power of attorney allows someone to make medical decisions when you cannot. This person will work with the doctors and hospitals to ensure you receive the level of care you want.

Your estate plan also includes your life insurance, retirement accounts, and any stocks, bonds, or investments. You can rest assured that you have done your best for your family when you have all these in one place. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney will help you understand all aspects of your estate plan.

Oak Brook Estate Planning Attorney

We want you to understand why estate planning is important for first responders. We are here to help you establish or update your estate plan. To talk to a qualified attorney in Chicago, contact us here or call the Estate & Probate Legal Group at 630-864-5835. 

We serve Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties.