Wills
Everyone should have a will. Without a will, your property will pass, upon
your death, not in accordance with your wishes, but in accordance with the
law. Without a will, the courts will determine the guardianship of your minor
children. Having me prepare your will is neither difficult nor expensive,
but it will insure that your wishes are carried out after your death and that
there are no unnecessary complications at a difficult time for your family.
Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a document in which you state that you give someone
else (usually a relative or friend) the authority to make certain decisions
and act on your behalf. Executing a power of attorney does not mean that you
can no longer make decisions; it just means that another person can act for
you, as well. Without a power of attorney, a lengthy and expensive court
proceeding will be required to have someone appointed to take care of your
affairs if you are unable to do so. Having this simple document prepared now
can save a lot of trouble later on.
Living Wills
This is the casual designation for what is formally referred to as an
“Advance Directive and Health Care Proxy”. It is important to have a
living will as it informs your health care providers and your family about
your desires for medical treatment in the event you are not able to speak
for yourself. It also designates a person to the authority to make health
care decisions for you in the event you are incapacitated. If you are
concerned about being kept alive on machines, you need to have a living
will. It's a simple process, but very necessary. Without a living
will, in the event of your incapacity, any decisions about your treatment
will be made by the courts, not by your designee, and your wishes may not be
honored.
Estate Administration
Upon the death of a relative, there are many legal requirements to
transfer the assets of the deceased to the heirs. I can help you through
this confusing and stressful time. I guide you through each stage of the
process from initial appointment to final distribution and can take on as
much of the work as you need me to.
