Documents are Scary. Who's Going to Make Decisions When You Can't?

Legal Documents required to protect your estate and enforce your health care vary from state to state. The following are typical for the basic requirement:

Last Will and Testament states your wishes for distribution of your estate ( monies, assets, investments, properties) at the time of your death, after outstanding debts are paid. It states the individual(s) in charge of being sure it is properly executed through the court system and to the persons named in the will to receive stated items.

Advance Care Directives state your wishes for health care in serious situations to the hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians when you might not be able to state them:

Living Wills outline specific health issue decisions to doctors as to how you wish to be treated should you be incapacitated and unable to make decisions. It includes decisions for organ donorship, resuscitation orders, food and water, etc. These address the hard questions nobody wants to make until they have to be made.

Health Care Surrogate names who will make decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. This person should be familiar with your beliefs and opinions for care, particularly in life and death situations.

Durable Power of Attorney is similar to the surrogate, however it can also be written to include not only health care, but also to transact business affairs including disposition of assets, monies and property.

Simple directives can be self-prepared, as packages of these documents can be bought at bookstores or on the internet. Read them carefully to be sure they satisfy the requirements of your state. If you have an attorney use their services. If not, check for resources easily available to you.

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