The challenges of the ‘Sandwich’ generation
Children growing up and sitting exams; parents requiring more care and attention; trying to keep your career on track – these are the challenges of the so-called ‘Sandwich’ generation. If this sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’re either already in this situation or you can see it looming on the horizon. It can be an extremely difficult time of life – and even more so if you have legal responsibilities to someone you love.
Acting as an attorney for a loved one
As people become more aware of the importance of making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) well before it’s needed, there has been an increase in the number of people taking on those attorney duties. This is a positive thing, because it’s vitally important that someone – or more than one person – trusted by the individual is looking after their affairs. Trying to do so after the individual’s competence to make decisions has gone is extremely complicated, so it is always best to make your LPA – both for health and finances – as early as possible.
There are a number of legal responsibilities for an attorney, and these responsibilities must be taken seriously and carried out appropriately. These include:
· Always acting in the best interests of the individual
· Taking reasonable care when making decisions on the individual’s behalf
· Acting in accordance with the terms and direction of the relevant LPA
· Involving the individual in decisions wherever practical and reasonable
Making life easier
There are a range of challenges involved with being an attorney for a loved one. The biggest of these is having to make difficult decisions when you are so personally involved in the care of that individual or the outcome of any decision you make. Add in the fact that these are often complex financial or difficult health decisions, and it’s easy to see why things can become stressful.
To add to this pressure, there is often more than one attorney appointed. This might be another family member, or it might be a professional attorney like a solicitor. This is a good thing from the perspective of the individual – it’s an added layer of protection – but it can make it trickier to organise practical things, particularly if the attorneys are not in the same location. Sharing paperwork and keeping track of finances becomes more complicated and can result in additional friction or stress.
Sandwich generation attorneys can use technology to help them manage this part of their lives. Applications like Switchfoot Teams (our preferred financial planning portal for attorneys) allow attorneys – and other relevant professionals – to have oversight of key finances, and to access important documents like the full LPA, share certificates, insurance documents and more. Easy to set up, easy to use and the ideal way to keep a handle on all the different areas you may need to cover as an attorney, this technology can help to manage at least one of the responsibilities you have.
To find out more, speak to us today.
Sandwich generation attorneys can use technology to help them manage this part of their lives
– Sebastian Ewell
Switchfoot Wealth Founder
Read more about Switchfoot Wealth
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