“Wrongful Prolongation of Life” Suit Dismissed In Indiana
MAY 1, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 44 It has taken three decades to establish, but the notion of patient self-determination is now firmly entrenched in American law. A patient has the right to instruct that life-sustaining medical care be withheld or removed. To protect against future treatment, an individual can execute a living will and/or […]
Family Members Permitted To Ignore Decedent’s Burial Plans
APRIL 24, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 43 In 1997 James Wrosch planned his own funeral. He made arrangements for cremation and instructed the funeral home to deliver his ashes to his good friend James Cady. He even had his mother, brother and sister sign forms agreeing that Mr. Cady could take charge of his remains. […]
Home Owner Wins Return Of Property From Step–Children
APRIL 17, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 42 In order to avoid the probate process, or for income or property tax purposes, property owners often add children, spouses or others to the title on their homes. Sometimes those transfers turn out badly. When Jean and Samuel Owens married in 1970, they each had children from first […]
Woman’s “Holographic” Will Is Valid But Costly To Interpret
APRIL 10, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 41 Although most people might intend to use a lawyer to draft their wills and estate planning documents, there is no legal requirement that an attorney be involved. Often, in fact, non-lawyers prepare their own documents and do just fine. Sometimes they manage to complicate their estates and the […]
Ward Ordered Returned To Minnesota Despite Her Wishes
APRIL 3, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 40 When a family member or friend becomes incapable of handling his or her own health care and finances it may be necessary to turn to the courts. Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings are governed by state laws, and the assumptions, procedures and even the language change from state to […]
Adult Home Operator Pleads Guilty In Death Of Resident
MARCH 27, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 39 Although nursing homes are more familiar to most Americans, nearly half of all elderly residents of institutions live in adult care homes. Often housed in converted residences, adult care homes usually provide personal care, supervision and activities for a small group of residents. Care in such facilities is […]
Trial Court Must Decide If Deed Obtained By Undue Influence
MARCH 13, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 37 “Undue influence” is usually thought of in connection with provisions in a will. It can also be cited in attempts to set aside transfers made during life, as a recent North Carolina case illustrates. In early 1996 Irene J. Stephenson signed a deed conveying her home and sixteen […]
Bequests To Disabled Children Should Be In Special Trusts
MARCH 20, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 38 Suppose your adult son is disabled and receiving both financial and medical assistance from the government. While you do not consider yourself wealthy, you have worked hard all your life and managed to build a modest estate. If you leave your disabled child his share of your estate […]
Appellate Court Ruling May Allow Feeding Tube Removal
MARCH 6, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 36 Just over eighteen months ago Elder Law Issues reported on the tragic story of Robert Wendland (“Lack of Advance Directives Contributes to Family Tragedy,” August 10, 1998). Last week the California Court of Appeals added a new chapter to the Wendland story, and may have completely changed the […]
Physical Restraint Of Nursing Home Patients Limited By Law
FEBRUARY 28, 2000 VOLUME 7, NUMBER 35 The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 mandated changes in American nursing care. Chief among those changes: patients may not be restrained (either physically or chemically) unless it is medically necessary. How has that mandate fared in practice? Frail (usually elderly) nursing home patients may be unable to […]
