Estate Planning for MS: Why It’s Essential
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Legal terms like “last will and testament” are to people in their twenties like broccoli to a child. Durable power of attorney is to thirtysomethings as polyester to a fashion model. And advanced directive (sometimes known as a living will), well, don’t get me started.
Off-putting as they may sound, these legal instruments are imperative to someone living with a condition like multiple sclerosis (MS) and it’s time that we talk about them.
Think of It as Financial Planning
It might be easier to think of these legal documents as financial planning matters for people with MS rather than, you know, end of life stuff. A will may be the ultimate in fiduciary planning, but there are many ways in which the other documents can be seen as ways of managing money.
It can all be overwhelming, and it takes many of us years after diagnosis to really think about. Like gearing up for the first dose of disease-modifying therapy, however, the sooner we begin, the better.
I’m a firm believer that forewarned is forearmed. Knowing your rights should MS take a difficult turn is up there on my list. It might not be comfortable to think of being disabled, but I like knowing the uncomfortable much more than I like being unprepared or worse, unprotected.
The good news is that the National MS Society has a large collection of online brochures and videos that can help:
Beyond disability rights, these resources explain things like insurance options, legal terms, and family law concerns. Those of us with chronic illness will need to understand these concepts earlier in life than our peers who don’t have chronic disease. It’s just another part of the fun of living with a disease like MS.
Factoring MS Into Our Plans
Financial and estate planning has its share of pitfalls and common mistakes. Because those of us with MS might need access to retirement funds on a different schedule than the average person planning their future, it’s important to work with someone who understands not only the business of estate planning, but also the many possible paths down which our disease might take us.
Some of the things we might not think of when planning for our future affairs might be the need for extra assistance around the house and what that might look like, both financially and personally. The possibility that our cognitive, communicative, or psychological functions may be altered by MS. As well as understanding that conditions like MS can have adverse effect on otherwise healthy marriages.
Planning Ahead Is Hard, but It Makes Things Easier
Advance medical directives (the National MS Society has information on that, too) can be an unhappy topic to broach even for the most level-headed of families. Add in conversations of palliative care, and it may seem like we’re scrolling the credits in the middle of Act 2.
It doesn’t seem like that to me. Having these conversations earlier is better than having them too late.
It can sometimes feel like we’re looking too far down the road of our life with MS. Or that planning for every imaginable possibility means we’re not enjoying life’s views.
The sweet spot is to enjoy the drive, while being aware of what oncoming traffic might lie ahead. Legal preparations, made in a time of rational forethought with those important to you, can make for an easier journey for everyone — even when that road becomes bumpy.
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers,
Trevis
My new book, Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis, is now available. Follow me on the Life With MS Facebook page, and read more on Life With Multiple Sclerosis.
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