A Diagnosis Changes Everything, Including Your Estate Plan. Here's What to Do

A diagnosis like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or ALS changes your estate plan, usually in ways nobody anticipated when the documents were first signed. In this video, Ellen walks through the parts of a California estate plan that often need a fresh look after a diagnosis. Most plans are built around one question: what happens when I die? A progressive diagnosis raises a different one: what happens if I'm alive but unable to manage things myself? That shift changes which documents matter and how well they need to work. Ellen covers: Who you may wish to name in your Advance Healthcare Directive How your durable power of attorney becomes effective Trust format options for married couples to consider Family dynamics that may come into play Related video: Should I Simplify My Trust?    • Should I simplify my trust   Ready to review your plan? [Schedule a Consultation →] cookmanlaw.com/talk-with-intake-team/ Subscribe for weekly California estate planning and special needs planning videos. Timestamps: 00:00 - The call I get after a diagnosis 01:24 - Planning for incapacity, not just death 02:08 - Married couples: where does your half go? 02:58 - When does your Durable Power of Attorney go into effect? 03:35 - Divide and conquer: matching kids to roles 04:19 - When a diagnosis changes someone else's plan 05:26 - How Cookman Law can help you ✅ Subscribe to our Newsletter to stay up to date! https://cookmanlaw.com/newsletter/ ✅Download the Special Needs Planning Webinar 👇👇 https://app.lawmatics.com/forms/share... ✅Download the Webinar on Estate Planning 👇👇 https://app.lawmatics.com/forms/share... ✅ Please Subscribe to my channel I put out a new video every week →    / @ellencookman-estateplanningsnt   ✅ FREE Guides to Special Needs Trusts 👇👇 https://cookmanlaw.com/special-needs-... 💥 Follow me on Social Media 💥 Facebook:   / cookmanlaw   LinkedIn:   / ellen-cookman-jd-ll-m-88728b12   Website: https://cookmanlaw.com/ Looking forward to connecting! The content of this YouTube channel is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. You should not rely upon any information contained on this YouTube channel for legal advice. Viewing this YouTube channel is not intended to and shall not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Ellen Cookman or Cookman Law, PC. Messages or other forms of communication that you transmit to this YouTube channel will not create an attorney-client relationship and thus information contained in such communications may not be protected as privileged. Neither Ellen Cookman nor Cookman Law, PC makes any representation, warranty, or guarantee about the accuracy of the information contained in this YouTube channel or in links to other YouTube channels or websites. This YouTube channel is provided "as is," does not represent that any outcome or result from viewing of this channel. Your use viewing of this YouTube channel is at your own risk. You enjoy this YouTube channel and its contents only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Neither Ellen Cookman, Cookman Law, PC, nor anyone acting on their behalf, will be liable under any circumstances for damages of any kind. #estateplanning #trustadministration