Taking Care of Personal Matters During an Asbestos Lawsuit
by Steven Kazan, Esq., Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley
Making sure you have the support you need
Mesothelioma is a very serious disease and, as if this isn't bad enough, the various treatments for mesothelioma can also be very difficult. As a result, anyone with mesothelioma needs assistance and comfort from:
- Family members
- Friends
- Professionals
- Support groups
- Members of the community
It is often helpful to seek the support of a group or organization devoted to the needs of cancer patients and victims of other devastating illnesses. Talk to your doctor about this. Our office can also provide you with a list of organizations that might be of assistance.
Making preparations is important
Most of us find it unpleasant to contemplate our needs and the needs of our family during a critical illness, but this is something that all of us have to do at some point in our lives. In our law practice we have found that those clients who make preparations are better able to ease the burden on themselves and their loved ones if things get worse.
- Arranging for a Durable Power of Attorney for health care and financial management decisions is often invaluable because it eases a lot of stress during a difficult time.
- Estate planning is also something to consider. It is a good idea for almost everyone to have a will or trust, but it is increasingly important as you get older, if your health deteriorates or if you have a family.
- If you have a will or trust, it might be useful to review it to make sure it expresses your desires at this time.
The last point is important because uncertainty about your wishes should not be a burden that is placed on your heirs to figure out.
If you have a trust, it is necessary to make sure that all assets you wish to include in the trust have been assigned to it. For example, if you pursue a lawsuit related to your illness, and you want recoveries from that lawsuit to become part of your trust, you must formally assign the lawsuit's proceeds to the trust.
If you do not have a will or trust, you might want to consider drawing one up. This can best be done by an attorney who specializes in wills and trusts. Two good ways to find one of these attorneys are to ask your friends for recommendations, or to call your county or state Bar Association lawyer referral service.
Serving mesothelioma victims and their families for more than three decades
From offices in Oakland, California, Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley, PLC (Kazan Law) has been serving victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases for more than 36 years. For a no-cost evaluation of your potential case with one of our experienced asbestos lawyers, contact us today by calling 1-866-804-2311 or online.
