This past week I enlisted a probate lawyer to help draw up a trust for my mother. I had a will that was done by the military last year, I had a will and testament, living will, surrogate health care designee and a springing power of attorney. What I discovered was shocking. First, the will would not guarantee my will would not be contested and out of probate, and secondly FL doesn’t honor sprinting powers of attorney (this allows the individual named as your representative to action on your behave IF you are incapacitated) They only have regular powers of attorney with are effective the moment that are signed.
So I was left with the decision to either keep what I have or spend $1,500.00 ,that is with my military discount, and do a trust. I prayed on it for two days and determined that it was the right thing to do to ensure that in the event I preceded my mother in death she is taken care of and that those I have left to help her and adminster my will do not have to worry about it being confessed.
As the lawyer, Dennis, walked me through the worksheet and we discussed what I wanted done. We put into the trust everything that would be needed to continue the care for my mother. My caregiver has stated that she wants to continue carIn for my mother. This brought tears to my eyes, knowing that she loves my mother that much to continue to care for her. My representative which will be one of my cousins will liquidate assets to ensure that the caregiver has everything she needs to continue with the care for momma. Dennis also told me that by putting my home and all assists into a trust, these assists cannot be viewed as assets by Medicaid which would disqualified my mother for services. That was a huge eye opener!
I guess you can say this was a productive week. Completing the worksheet with Dennis (over the phone) made me reevaluate my relationships and really think about how I wanted my assists to be distributed. I found it to be refreshing because now I know that those people who are close to me and have helped me will not be hindered by my departure.
Caregiver tip:
Momma continues to do well, Angela came for her monthly visit and all is well..with the exception of a small rash my mother has developed on the right side of her neck. I notice it because it smells even though she is bath daily. It was red and looked raw. Angela stated it was yeast rash and noted that it is on the side where my Mother drools a little. Since saliva is acidic this contributes to the rash and the fact that my mother keeps her head positioned on her right shoulder making challenging to feed her because her head is tilted to the right and doesn’t allow air to flow to that side of her neck! Anyway Angela prescribed some Nystatin Topical Power. It has stoped the smell and the redness is gone. We’re not he road to recovery!!!
Caregiving.....Screaming is allowed! 