Seeking advice on tidying up one’s “after death” wishes or “wishes if one is determined to be either temporarily disabled or permanently disabled” is often a difficult thing for many people.  Thus, there are many who have not established a clear road map of direction for their loved ones.  At a minimum, it is extremely important to understand the impact of permanent or temporary disability on one’s life and the ramifications that may occur if you haven’t created basic instructions:  General Durable Powers of Attorney are essential, Executing a Last Will and Testament, and creating a Health Care Proxy and Living Will so that your agent knows how you wish to be treated in a life threatening event.

 

When one has young children, determining Guardianship in a Last Will and Testament puts the control in your hands, rather than in that of a Judge’s. 

 

When families are “blended”, many unanticipated consequences result if the final instructions and desires of people are not reduced to legal instruction. 

 

No-one can anticipate life’s many hardships, but everyone can make plans so that their desires and wishes for personal property, real property, custody and guardianship of children, or health care decisions are properly administered. 

 

Elderly adults, too, need to put into place their instructions.  When Lynn’s parents each were very ill, she, as the family attorney, was given written directives by her parents.  It is quite remarkable how many times Lynn needed to copy and present the Durable Powers of Attorney to hospitals or nursing homes, or banks, or insurance companies, all in order to perform her duties as Agent for her parents.  The Health Care Proxy and Living Will were also utilized at every turn.  From first hand experience, and after years of practice, Lynn strongly believes in the urgency of being prepared.