If you live with a chronic illness, you know how challenging it is to manage your illness plus the regular ups and downs of daily living. Taking control of your estate plan is an empowering move, according to a recent article from Advocate, “Chronic but not powerless, why your estate plan deserves a seat at the doctor’s office.”
Sometimes you don’t realize how important a plan is until someone you love has a medical crisis, and you learn what happens when there are no documents in place and no clarity about their wishes.
Estate planning is as much about staying in charge of your life as it is about distributing possessions after death. If your health situation leads to your not being able to speak on your own behalf, you need to have the following documents:
Healthcare Power of Attorney—naming someone you trust to make medical decisions for you.
Living Will, also known as an Advance Directive—what kind of end-of-life care you want, as well as the type of care you don’t want.
HIPAA Authorization—allowing a person you name to speak with doctors and access medical and insurance information.
Durable Power of Attorney—naming someone to manage your day-to-day financial affairs.
Revocable Living Trust—assets placed in a trust are managed by a trustee and pass to beneficiaries without court involvement.
This is especially important if you and your partner aren’t married or are estranged from family members. Without the protection of documents created by an experienced estate planning attorney, your partner will not be able to be involved in your medical care or handle your finances.
Everyone needs a last will and testament, especially those living with chronic conditions. Without a will, your state’s laws will determine who will receive your property. Your spouse might find themselves sharing an inheritance with minor children, with no ability to access the children’s share to pay bills. A distant cousin related by blood may inherit all your worldly goods, while your unmarried partner of decades may find themselves looking for a new place to live.
If you live with a chronic illness, you can’t afford not to have an estate plan prepared by an estate planning attorney who will know your state’s laws and create an estate plan suited to your life. Once it’s done, you and your loved ones can focus on your busy lives and the challenge of chronic illness.
Reference: Advocate (July 2, 2025) “Chronic but not powerless, why your estate plan deserves a seat at the doctor’s office”