Accidents Have Consequences

Gene L. Osofsky, who specializes in Elder Law, advises that while
you can’t always be protected from accidents, you can often mitigate
their consequences.

Some people are accident prone. It’s often a matter of luck, being
in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes what seems to be an
accident isn’t really one; it could have been prevented by better
planning or care. But sometimes an accident is just that, unavoidable.
“Who hasn’t had a computer crash without warning, or a pipe break in
their basement, flooding it?” asks Attorney Gene L. Osofsky of the law
firm Osofsky & Osofsky, who specializes in Elder Law. Events don’t
always go right, and sometimes an important paper or a document can be
accidentally misplaced and lost with the passage of time. “I’ve
misplaced things,” Osofsky admits.

This can even happen with crucial estate planning documents, most
significantly after they are executed. “My clients have been known to
misplace things too,” says Osofsky.

To prevent such avoidable mishaps, Osofsky offers some advice.

“You should always make copies,” he says, “and these should be kept
separate from your signed originals. Photocopies should be made and
placed where they can easily be found by your agents. A closet in your
office or a bookshelf in your library can be ideal for storing
photocopies.”

Original documents should be placed somewhere safe from easy theft
and in a place that’s less susceptible to natural disasters, such as
fires or floods. “A home fire-safe can be an excellent investment,”
Osofsky says, “I also like safe-deposit boxes, although the box should
be in the name of the established trust rather than your own.” Agents
and fiduciaries should have extra copies of essential documents “just
in case.” Adds Osofsky, “Don’t forget your Advance Healthcare Directive
and your HIPAA Privacy Authorization.” Your nominated guardians should
have the original document allowing them “to make health care decisions
for your minor child should you become unavailable,” he concludes.

To learn more about East Bay elder law lawyers, East Bay elder law attorney, Medi-Cal planning, Medi-Cal planning lawyers and The Law Offices of Osofsky & Osofsky, visit Lawyerforseniors.com.