Without an estate plan in place:

• Medical records are sealed, and health care decisions are delayed
• A petition must be filed with the court to name Sarah as conservator and grant her financial power of attorney
• Locating assets and important papers is nearly impossible
• At death, assets are subject to probate
• Sarah has to hire a lawyer to probate the estate
• Creates 12 to 18 months of hassle and distraction

With an estate plan in place:

• Sarah has immediate access to her parent’s medical records
• She is automatically empowered to make health care decisions on her parent’s behalf
• Sarah is automatically empowered to pay bills and maintain her parent’s financial affairs
• There is no need to involve the court or hire a lawyer to probate her parent’s estate
• Assets are all in order and easily identifiable