When people in the Port St. Lucie, Florida area create an estate plan, there are a lot of issues and questions they will have to answer. Your estate planning lawyer will guide you through the process of creating an incapacity plan that meets all appropriate legal requirements. However, your attorney cannot tell you what your decisions should be. You will have to ask yourself a variety of questions … [Read more...]
Texas Woman Removed From Life Support After Court Order
A Texas judge has ordered a pregnant woman on life support to be taken off the life-staining machines after it determined that not only was she brain-dead, but that the fetus she was carrying was not viable. This case has caused many people to reflect on their own medical choices in the face of incapacitation, and what they might be able to do about it. Husband’s Request to Remove Life Support … [Read more...]
National Stories Raise Questions of Death, Brain-Death, and Individual Decisions
Over the past several months, a couple of prominent news stories have focused national attention on important questions about death, dying, and individual decisions. The cases of Marlise Munoz and Jahi McMath have both centered around brain death. In the Munoz case, Marlies Muñoz was placed on life support against her husband’s wishes, while in the McMath case, Jahi was placed on life support … [Read more...]
What Does it Mean to be Incapacitated in Florida?
A good estate plan gives you the ability to make important decisions that only you can make, as well as giving you the ability to give others the legal authority to make some of your decisions if you are no longer able to do so. When you create powers of attorney or medical directives, you give others the right to step into your shoes and make legal choices on your behalf when you are … [Read more...]
“Life Settlement” Laws Might Change Medicaid Budgets
Texas recently became the first state to pass a so-called “life settlement” law. The law allows seniors with life insurance policies to sell those policies to buyers in order to pay for long-term care expenses. Other states, including Florida and New York, have considered, or are considering, similar types of legislation. Life settlement laws are designed to help states alleviate the budgetary … [Read more...]
Your Family Will Be Glad You Made an Estate Plan
A lot of people who haven’t taken the time to create an estate plan finally decide to do so after they realize that creating a plan isn’t so much about helping yourself as it is helping your family. Good estate plans do a lot to ensure that your family will be protected after you’re gone, as well as providing other significant benefits. Your plan gives your family clear directions. Sometimes, … [Read more...]
Why Doctors Die Differently
Even though a lot of people have heard of living wills, healthcare proxies, or other types of advance medical directives, only about 20% have actually taken the time to create one. This number, though not surprising, is remarkably low when you compare it to the number of doctors who have created an advance directive. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, about 64% of physicians in … [Read more...]
Tattoos and DNRs: Probably Not the Best Choice
In the world of advance medical directives there have been a few stories in the news about people who chose to tattoo their wishes on their body. Specifically, some people have chosen to tattoo the words “Do Not Resuscitate” on their chests. While you can get any tattoo you want, it is probably—from a legal perspective—not a wise choice to rely on a DNR tattoo. A do not resuscitate order, … [Read more...]
Practical Tips for Creating, and Using, a Financial Power of Attorney
When you create a financial power of attorney, the person you select as your agent will have to deal with third parties on your behalf. Many of these third parties are often hesitant to accept powers of attorney because of the potential liability involved if the third party makes a mistake. You can make it easier for yourself, your agent, and third parties by taking some practical steps to ensure … [Read more...]
Learning From Mike Wallace – Journalist and Dementia Sufferer
Renowned newsman Mike Wallace died in April at the age of 93. His legacy includes a lifetime of hard-hitting journalism and overcoming a personal battle with depression. It also includes living with dementia in his final years. Though not widely known, the tough-as-nails reporter suffered an ailment that 1 out of every 8 people will suffer from, and one that robs people of their cognitive … [Read more...]
