Avoiding post-mortem mayhem

[PTO_urned]

Well, hello there. I'm at that age where my knees creak louder than my legal knowledge. Trying to sort out this whole 'when I kick the bucket' plan. Wife and kids are counting on me not to leave them a paperwork nightmare. So, wills versus trusts? Lay it on me like a poorly timed dad joke (I can handle it).

 

[Alan]

Greetings @PTO_urned, welcome to the forum.
You can set up your funeral service and prepay now with your insurance. Also, if you are a VET and need to use VET services for anything, you must make a VA power of attorney, or no one can represent you with any VET benefits. Regular POA will not work with the VA.

 

[PTO_urned]

Greetings @PTO_urned, welcome to the forum.
You can set up your funeral service and prepay now with your insurance. Also, if you are a VET and need to use VET services for anything, you must make a VA power of attorney, or no one can represent you with any VET benefits. Regular POA will not work with the VA.

Appreciate the info. Prepaying for the funeral could keep things smooth when the time comes, though my focus is more on making sure my family isn't stuck in probate limbo. Didn't realize the VA needed a specific POA, which is good to know for anyone dealing with that system. Do you have experience with estate planning in California, or are you speaking from general knowledge?