{"id":1008,"date":"2018-01-29T23:01:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-29T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/?page_id=1008"},"modified":"2022-08-03T22:35:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T22:35:58","slug":"veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/blog\/veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"Estate Planning For Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"
Estate planning is important for everyone, regardless of your income or circumstances. Wealthy individuals and families will probably need a more complex estate plan, but the other 99% of Americans still need a plan to prepare for contingencies, ensure your family is provided for, and ensure the assets you\u2019ve worked hard to accumulate are transferred to the right people.<\/p>\n
A good estate plan should also address retirement income, what will happen if you become incapacitated, and your funeral and burial plans. Following is a quick summary of the topics you\u2019ll need to address, with special attention given to aspects that may be impacted by benefit programs for veterans.<\/p>\n
If you or your spouse have served in the armed forces, you\u2019ll want to consider military pension programs that can supplement personal and Social Security income. You served our country with valor, honor, and distinction, and you deserve the benefit programs that exist to assist military families with supplementary income.<\/p>\n
When you meet with an estate planning attorney or financial advisor, be sure to address your eligibility for the following programs:<\/p>\n
As you\u2019re working with an experienced professional, be sure to consider how your family will be provided for in your absence. If your combined benefits and income does not allow your surviving loved ones to enjoy the same standard of living, you should consider using life insurance to bridge the gap. Many financial institutions have special rates and programs for veterans that make life insurance more affordable.<\/p>\n
If you become mentally or physically incapacitated during your lifetime, you\u2019ll need preparations in place to make sure you and your family are properly cared for. If you\u2019re married, your spouse inherently has the right to access your financial accounts and your medical records, and to make important decisions on your behalf. However, if your spouse is unavailable (perhaps you were both incapacitated in an accident, or they pass away before you), then you\u2019ll need someone else to fill the role.<\/p>\n
Consider drafting a durable power of attorney<\/a> to appoint an attorney-in-fact to handle your affairs. Most people turn to their adult children or siblings to care for them, but you\u2019re welcome to choose anyone you trust. The power of attorney should authorize them to access your finances, pay your bills, access your medical files, and make important decisions on your behalf.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a good idea to draft an advance healthcare directive<\/a> (also known as a living will). Your living will dictates your healthcare and treatment preferences, and is useful for your doctors and your attorney-in-fact if you become incapacitated and cannot communicate to make important medical decisions. Topics that are commonly addressed in a living will include palliative care, artificial life support, and resuscitation.<\/p>\n As a veteran, you are entitled to burial<\/a> in one of the 135 national cemeteries<\/a> in the United States. The VA will cover the following at no cost to you:<\/p>\n If you choose to be buried in a private cemetery, the VA will pay up to $300 towards burial costs for non-service-related deaths, though there are additional benefits that the deceased may qualify for that can increase the VA reimbursement. The VA will pay up to $2,000 for service-related deaths.<\/p>\n Spouses and dependents of veterans are also entitled to burial benefits<\/a>. At no cost, qualified family members are entitled to the following (even if they die before the veteran):<\/p>\n A proper estate plan includes the following:<\/p>\nFuneral and Burial Plans<\/h2>\n
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Distributing Your Assets<\/h2>\n
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