Make the System Work for You
Once you have read and synthesized the legal, financial and insurance aspects of living with Parkinson's disease (PD), it is important to take a step back to make sure that these rights and benefits work for you.
- Take an honest, consistent, big-picture approach which can help you maximize your legal rights, financial resources and the protection proper planning can provide to you and your loved ones.
- Complete a thorough and ongoing self-assessment in writing. You need a written plan and it should be updated periodically.
- Coordinate with your healthcare team to document your eligibility for various benefits. It is also vital that information about your status and prognosis be communicated by your healthcare team to your financial and legal advisers. This information is essential to proper budgeting, investing, creating appropriate estate planning documents and more.
Working with a Professional
Determine whether you need professional help to assess your legal rights and related financial concerns. If possible, it is always advisable to work alongside a professional. It is difficult to be objective about your personal circumstances. Every professional you involve in your planning will add an element of objectivity.
Cost is often a factor that dissuades many people from seeking professional guidance. However, with preparation and careful use of professional advisers you can often plan for the future in a cost-efficient manner. Most professionals that bill hourly will give you guidance as to what to do to make the most efficient use of their time, and your financial resources. If they won’t, go elsewhere. To prepare estate planning documents, prepare a detailed organizer that your attorney can provide in advance of the meeting to help reduce meeting costs.