FAQ

Who is this service for?

Golden Agreements are for everyone who plans to move into the aging process with the support of the family and friends who love them.  

Who should initiate this service?

The Golden Client, family members, and friends who want to initiate the process of building the future they want through difficult conversations, in a compassionate and respectful environment, should reach out to Golden Agreements for support.  It provides everyone with a road map to best acknowledge and support their aging loved one and giving voice to everyone to create best conditions for a peaceful and loving aging process.  In circumstances with the aging loved one does not have the capacity to participate, Golden Agreements can still be made with concerned family members.

How does this service save money?

Unfortunately, there are too many examples of how discord among familly members leads to costly resolutions,  Everything including hiring the wrong support, family arguments, litigation, and elder abuse can arise from the lack of planning for the aging process.  Many of these issues can be avoided by having the written and video statements from the aging parent or friend to be used as guidelines in future decision making.

It also saves potentially massive expenses that can occur when dangerous conditions are not avoided; such as driving beyond safety and hospital bills from the wrong service providers.

Do I need Golden Agreements if I have a Living Will and Trust?

Yes.  Living Wills and Trust documents address many layers of issues that require legal compliance to terms and agreements.  Golden Agreements address the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of aging within the family and friends "unit".  The Agreements introduces the conversations that go beyond the legal and documents and creates video specific to the intentions and desires that went into the legal agreements as well as many other issues that are central to a supportive aging process.  

For example, a Living Will will designate a financial Power of Attorney that the designee feels reluctant to use.  Golden Agreements will address when would a Golden Client be willing to add the financial Power of Attorney to their accounts and what expectations are there within the family unit for the person given this responsibility to communicate back to the family once they step in.

Are the agreements legally binding contracts?

No, the Golden Agreements are the framework from which legally binding contracts can be built, if necessary.  Through the process, there will be decisions made that are best codified through legal documents and necessary information to be included in those documents will be part of the final package of Golden Agreements.  Many of the Agreements, however, focus on intentions and wishes of the Golden Client and a safe environment to discuss the expectations of those who love them and the impact it will have on those who will be a supporter of those visions.

For example, we will cover the terms and conditions under which the Golden Client is willing to stop driving (aka Give Up The Keys).  As a supportive and understanding community, the group will define and pre-establish an agreement that will be codified in the Golden Agreements and supported with video to help the Golden Client live up to the agreements set.

Will Golden Agreements serve as a witness if legal issues arise?

For a fee, your Golden Agreement provider will be available to instruct counsel as to the observations, process and agreements strictly related the service provided.

Does Golden Agreements review existing documents such as Trusts, Living Wills, etc.?

If requested to do so, Golden Agreements will review documents related to the scope of services of Golden Agreements within the Aging Blueprint package.  The main goal would be to inform those mentioned in the documents, educate the meaning of those places where the person is identified, and create group agreements to support the future role of the identified person(s).  Golden Agreement faciliators are not providing legal advice in the meetings.

What if my loved one doesn't have the capacity to participate or I'm not sure about their capacity to provide input?

It is best when the plan is made before there are questions about capacity.  Of course, plans can change, but it allows famly members to be familiar with the wishes of their loved ones.  Sometimes we need to put plans in place after that capacity to participage is lost.  Golden Agreements will work with the members of the family to gather the necessary information and facilitate family conversations on behalf of the loved one.  If necessary, capacity can be addressed by a trained psychiatrist; although this is only necessary in very few cases.  Most often, the family is able to proceed without legal declaration pertaining to capacity.