Estate Planning With a Terminal Illness

Attorney Image By: James Filippi
Estate Planning With a Terminal Illness title image

When faced with a terminal illness, one of the most compassionate and responsible acts an individual can undertake is estate planning. In addition to ensuring the honoring of their final wishes, this crucial process provides invaluable support and guidance for their loved ones during a challenging time.

At Filippi Law Firm, we understand the unique complexities and sensitivities involved in estate planning for terminal illnesses. Our extensive estate planning knowledge allows us to offer tailored guidance and support, empowering you to make informed decisions and secure your legacy with compassion and professionalism.

These are some of the essential documents your attorney may include in your comprehensive estate plan.

1. Will: A will, the cornerstone of any estate plan, dictates how an individual’s assets and belongings should be distributed upon their passing. Our law firm ensures that every client’s will reflects their desires and provides clarity on inheritance matters.

2. Power of Attorney (POA): Granting a trusted person the authority to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf is crucial in the event that you become incapacitated. We assist in establishing a durable power of attorney to safeguard our clients’ interests.

3. Healthcare Proxy and Living Will: Deciding on medical care and treatment preferences is a deeply personal and essential aspect of estate planning, particularly with a terminal illness. Our attorneys take the time to understand each client’s wishes, helping them draft a healthcare proxy and living will that articulates their desires regarding pain relief, end-of-life care, and other critical medical decisions.

4. HIPAA Authorization: In an age where privacy and confidentiality are paramount, granting authorized individuals access to medical records becomes vital. Through HIPAA authorizations, we ensure clear communication of our clients’ healthcare wishes while respecting their privacy.

Thoughtful Considerations for Care and Comfort
In addition to securing the necessary legal documents, we guide our clients through important considerations related to their care and comfort with a terminal illness:

Care Facilities: Exploring preferences for care at home, in a hospice facility, or within a hospital while ensuring that the necessary legal and logistical arrangements are in place.

Pain Management: Discussing and documenting preferences for pain relief, including specific medications, therapies, and comfort measures.

End-of-Life Decisions: Providing support for clients as they articulate their desires regarding life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation attempts, and other critical end-of-life determinations.

We recognize that estate planning with a terminal illness demands a delicate balance of legal expertise and genuine compassion. Our team is committed to alleviating our clients’ and their families’ burdens during a challenging period. By choosing our firm, you can anticipate the following benefits:

Comprehensive Guidance: We work closely with clients to ensure that their estate plans encompass all necessary documents and reflect their individualized needs and wishes.

Personalized Support: Our attorneys offer individuals and their families empathetic and considerate support, guaranteeing that no question remains unanswered and no concern remains unaddressed.

Professional Legal Advice: With a deep understanding of estate planning laws and regulations, we navigate complex legal matters, tailoring estate plans to align with our clients’ specific circumstances.

At Filippi Law Firm, we stand ready to provide the essential legal support and guidance needed to ensure peace of mind during life’s most challenging moments. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in creating a comprehensive estate plan that upholds your wishes and secures your legacy.

Satisfied Client Stories

Icon

Everyone I dealt with in this office was kind and professional. My attorneys Jim and Tori were exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful to me. Thank you Filippi Law Firm.

Christina E. | Granite Bay, CA
Icon

So very appreciative of all the staff they are all amazing!!!! It took me a few years thinking about getting a trust. Once I met the team I was amazing how much knowledge and comfort they gave me then I was wondered what took me so long you ask? Well I found a 5 star company and employee, trust me I did all your homework and searching for you, don’t wait take the step and move forward, you can call with any questions trust me I had plenty, extremely patient and return calls or emails promptly. I have preferred numberous people to them. They also have male and female attornies. Thank you so kindly to all!

Judith E. | Roseville, CA
Icon

Mr. Filippi and Ms. Votino were prompt and professional. Tori was very respectful of my time which resulted in a quick process and a refund of more than what I expected from my original deposit. The potential plaintiff also received a significant amount less than what they were asking for regarding a real estate transaction. I will definitely use again to update my trust.

Jeri S. | Lincoln, CA
Icon

We used Filippi Law firm for out trust needs. Everyone we worked with was professional, friendly and very thorough. Whether we met in person or virtually we never felt rushed and they took the time to explain everything to us. I would highly recommend them for your trust needs.

Susan L. | Lincoln, CA
Icon

Filippi Law Firm was simply exceptional at revising my trust. It is the second time I’ve revised it and they did it for less than a quarter of what I paid for the first one (and this one was more complicated).
I have no doubt this is my last revision as they were thorough and addressed questions that I had not thought about prior to working with their firm.
I cannot recommend Filippi law firm more highly!
With gratitude,
RT

Renee T. | Loomis, Ca
Icon

I really enjoyed meeting Jim Filippi and his team. Although, we had to hold off on doing our estate planning for now, we will definitely use Filippi Law Firm in the next year or two. Jim impressed me with his presentation, and his character. Jim came across as decent, humble, and honest. These are qualities that are sorely lacking in our society in 2025, much less among lawyers and politicians. I think Jim has carefully built his business or firm over many years and is keen to maintain its excellent reputation, and overall integrity. He is a former policeman and fireman who has not forgotten his working class roots and commitment to public service.

Robert Y. | Roseville, CA

Contact Us