Kevin Harvey speaks about Estate Planning

Kevin Harvey of Allen, Wellman, and McNew Attorney is shown with April Woods Kiwanis program chair for April.

Kevin Harvey of Allen, Wellman, and McNew Attorneys, spoke to Kiwanis about basic estate planning.  Kevin has been with the firm for fifteen years and handles wills, trusts and estate planning. 

Harvey stressed that it is important to plan for situations we do not think are imminent.  He noted that none of us know what could occur tomorrow.  He outline the five important documents every basic estate plan should include.

1.       A Last Will and Testament that names the person or persons who will administer the estate and sets forth distribution and guardianship of minor children.

2.       A Power of Attorney empowers another person to manage out estate during any period in which we are mentally or physically incapacitated.

3.       Appointment of a Health Care Representative designates who will make health care decisions when we are unable to.

4.       Living Will.  A living will allows us to make decisions about how we wish for life support to be used.

5.       Declaration of Standby Guardian allows parents of minor children to designate a person to serve as guardian of minor children in the event of the parents incapacity or death. 

Mr. Harvey illustrated his points with stories that demonstrated the problems that occur when these documents are not in place at a time of need.