Why Long-Term Care Planning Should Be Part of Your Estate Plan

Most people think of estate planning as a way to pass on money, property, or other assets. And while that’s definitely a big part of it, there’s more to it than just writing a will or creating a trust. A solid estate plan focuses on protecting your well-being too, not just your belongings. That’s where long-term care planning fits in. It helps you stay in charge of your healthcare and financial future, even if something unexpected happens.

Adding long-term care planning to your estate plan isn’t just for those in their 70s or 80s. It matters for anyone who wants to avoid leaving major decisions, like who will manage your healthcare or how bills will get paid, up to chance. Working closely with an estate planning lawyer in Chicago can help you make sure your wishes are followed and that your loved ones aren’t left scrambling if things take a turn one day.

Understanding Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care planning is about preparing for the help you might need down the road with everyday activities. This could include getting dressed, bathing, cooking, or caring for your home. It can mean help at your house, or you might need to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home. The point is to make sure there’s a plan, so your needs don’t catch everyone off guard.

People usually start thinking about this when they’re already dealing with failing health or after watching a parent go through it. But the truth is, the earlier you prepare, the easier it is to manage later. Here’s what long-term care planning often includes:

– Your wishes around where you want to receive care

– Who will make decisions for you if you can’t

– How to cover the costs without draining your savings

– Planning around Medicaid, if that becomes necessary

– Making sure tax or gift rules don’t interfere with your plan

Skipping this step could mean family disagreements, delayed care, or losing savings to sudden expenses. One example is when someone gets dementia and hasn’t named a power of attorney. Court costs and delays to get someone legally assigned create stress during an already difficult time. Planning means fewer surprises and more control.

Care needs can creep up slowly or appear instantly. Chronic illness, unexpected surgery, or even a fall could leave you needing round-the-clock help. By preparing now, you avoid crisis-mode decisions later.

How Long-Term Care Planning Fits Into Estate Planning

Long-term care planning and estate planning work better together than separate. Think of your estate plan as the full picture of how your personal, medical, and financial decisions all connect. If your estate plan only focuses on assets and leaves out what happens if you need daily care, then it’s missing a big part of the story.

When long-term care is part of the plan, you’re thinking beyond savings and property. You’re choosing who can make medical decisions for you. You’re putting instructions in place for doctors and caregivers to follow. You’re deciding how much you’re willing to spend on assisted care and how to protect the assets you’ve worked hard for.

Some of the documents that help support this planning include:

– Durable Power of Attorney: Names someone to manage your financial matters if you can’t.

– Medical Power of Attorney: Assigns someone to speak on your behalf for healthcare choices.

– Living Will or Advance Directive: Explains your wishes on end-of-life care, such as decisions around life support.

– Long-Term Care Insurance or Medicaid Planning Documents: Helps reduce how much of your own money is spent on care.

When these are all part of your estate plan, there are fewer gaps. You protect your assets and make it easier for loved ones to act quickly if your health changes suddenly. In a city like Chicago, where health care costs can grow fast, having a clear and backed-up plan gives confidence and direction.

Steps To Include Long-Term Care Planning With An Estate Planning Lawyer

Putting a long-term care plan together takes time and good communication. That’s where working with an experienced estate planning lawyer in Chicago becomes so helpful. They help pull all the pieces together, whether it’s your paperwork, financial information, or your preferences for future care.

Start by having a meeting focused only on your care goals. That includes talking through things like:

– Whether you prefer care at home, in assisted living, or a nursing facility

– How the care will be paid for—through assets, insurance, or Medicaid

– Any medical treatments you want to accept or decline

– Who will be making decisions for you if you’re not able to

Once you’ve answered these questions, your lawyer can turn those ideas into official documents. They’ll make sure everything meets Illinois legal standards. That way, your family or doctors won’t be guessing what to do. It will all be written down clearly and legally.

This step can help avoid common problems people run into. For example, if you have adult children, a legal plan can prevent arguments about what’s best for you. It also avoids long waits if your family needs to go to court for permission to act on your behalf.

It’s also a good idea to revisit your plan every couple of years. Life changes fast. Maybe your health shifted, you moved, or your family structure changed. A regular review helps keep your plan useful and up to date.

The Benefits Of Professional Guidance

Trying to figure out long-term care planning without help can get confusing. There are forms, deadlines, and rules that can trip you up. Working with a professional means you don’t have to guess. It also helps make sure everything is legally valid and specific to your needs.

An estate planning lawyer in Chicago knows the local and state laws and how they affect your choices for long-term care. That kind of knowledge helps when you need to protect your home or income, find care options that work for your budget, or plan around Medicaid rules.

Here are a few mistakes people make when they don’t work with a lawyer:

– Picking the wrong person as power of attorney or forgetting to update it

– Leaving assets exposed to long-term care costs

– Not coordinating your trust documents to match your care planning needs

– Assuming your spouse can automatically make every decision for you

Without the right legal setup, your loved ones could face delays, extra costs, or court involvement. A lawyer brings up the questions people don’t think to ask. That’s one of the best reasons to have a professional handle your long-term care planning.

Preparing For The Future With Confidence

Making long-term care part of your estate plan puts you in charge of big choices that affect your future. It’s about more than just financial safety—it’s about making sure your care happens the way you want.

Everything from who speaks for you to how your care is funded can be shaped by thoughtful planning. Instead of rushing to fix a crisis later, you’ll already have a plan in motion. That gives peace of mind to you and your family.

It’s easy to push this off, especially when things seem fine. But health can change quickly. Having this set up now means you avoid last-minute confusion. You’re clear about your wishes, and your family knows how to help.

If you’re in Chicago and considering this step, a trusted estate planning lawyer can guide you through the process. Marshiano Law Group helps clients organize long-term care, legal documents, and financial protections so that they’re ready whenever life changes. Illinois law has its own quirks, and working with someone who understands them is key to making your plan work when you need it most.

To take control of your future and make informed decisions about your care and assets, consider working with an experienced estate planning lawyer in Chicago. Marshiano Law Group is here to help guide you through the process, making sure your long-term care needs are thoughtfully included in your estate plan. Take the first step toward lasting peace of mind today.