March 9, 2026
Caring Until the End: How to Plan for Your Loved One’s Final Days
I spend a lot of time helping families plan for a long, happy life in my role as a Special Needs Certified Financial Planner®. However, part of a truly complete plan involves looking at the very end of that journey. While it is a difficult topic to talk about, planning for end-of-life care is one of the greatest acts of love you can perform. It ensures that your loved one’s dignity is protected and their personal wishes are followed, even when they cannot speak for themselves.
Why We Must Talk About End-of-Life Care
When a person has special needs, their medical situation can sometimes be complicated. Without a clear plan, doctors or judges who don't know your family might have to make huge decisions during a crisis. By planning now, you take the guesswork out of the hands of strangers and keep the focus on what your loved one would actually want.
Important Legal Tools for Medical Choices
There are several documents that help us understand a person’s medical wishes. As your financial planner, I coordinate with your legal team to make sure these are in place.
Advanced Directives and Living Wills
An "Advanced Directive" is a general term for legal papers that tell doctors what to do if a person is very sick and cannot communicate. A Living Will specifically lists which medical treatments a person wants—or doesn't want—to keep them alive. Another key paper is the Health Care Proxy, which names a specific person to make medical decisions if the individual is unable to do so.
POLST and MOLST Forms
You might hear your doctor mention a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or a MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment). These are a bit different from a Living Will. While a Living Will is a legal document, a POLST is an actual medical order signed by a doctor. It stays in the medical file and tells emergency workers exactly what to do in the moment.
If you are unsure if your current legal documents match your financial goals, I am here to help. Please contact me today for a CFP® consultation so we can ensure every piece of your plan is working together.
How Decisions Are Made for Those Who Cannot Speak
If a person has a guardian, that guardian has a very important job when it comes to medical care. Courts usually ask guardians to follow one of two "rules" when making a choice:
- Substituted Judgment: This is when the guardian makes the choice they believe the person would have made if they were able to speak. This is based on the person's past conversations, their faith, and their personality.
- Best Interest Standard: If the guardian doesn't know what the person would have wanted, they must choose what is "best" for the person. This means looking at the benefits of a treatment versus the pain or discomfort it might cause.
Helping a guardian understand these rules is a big part of what I do. Reach out to my office if you need guidance on how to document these preferences for future guardians.
The Financial Side of the Final Chapter
As an SNCFP®, I also focus on the costs associated with the end of life. It is important to remember that Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) have specific rules when a beneficiary passes away.
Paying for Final Expenses
Many people don't realize that some trusts must pay back the state for Medicaid costs before they can pay for a funeral. This is why we often suggest "pre-funding" a funeral or using life insurance to make sure those costs are covered without any legal trouble. Planning these payments ahead of time prevents your family from having to worry about money during a time of grief.
Wrapping Up the Trust
When the time comes, the trustee will need to follow the "wrap-up" instructions in the trust document. This includes paying final taxes and distributing any remaining money to other family members or charities.
A Gift of Peace
Talking about the end of life isn't about giving up hope; it’s about providing peace of mind. When you have a plan in place, you can spend your time focusing on the person you love rather than worrying about paperwork or legal fights.
Planning for the future is a journey we take one step at a time. Click here to schedule a meeting with a Special Needs Certified Financial Planner® so we can start building a compassionate and complete plan for your family’s needs.