New Thanksgiving Tradition to Consider: The Conversation
NOVEMBER 24, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 43 You’ve signed your health care power of attorney and your living will (maybe they were in the same document). You’ve given a copy to your doctor and of course your lawyer kept a copy. Did you think you were done? Because you’re not. Now it’s time to take […]
Is That Your Advance Directive in Your Pocket?
JULY 14, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 25 Last week I underwent a small outpatient surgical procedure (I’m fine — thanks for asking). I actually looked forward to the “do you have an advance (medical) directive?” question on admission. A couple years ago I had another outpatient procedure, and was surprised when the intake clerk asked […]
Do You Need New Documents When You Travel Outside Arizona?
APRIL 21, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 15 It is late April, and that means Spring is in full bloom in Tucson. Many of our winter visitors (we call them “snowbirds” but not mockingly or disparagingly — at least most of the time) will be returning to Illinois, Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, or other, cooler climes. […]
Here’s a Project For You: Write Your Own Obituary
APRIL 14, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 14 I have a new aspiration. I want my obituary to appear (at the appropriate time, of course — not before) in someone’s blog, newsletter, book or other publication as “one of the best obituaries ever” — maybe even to “go viral.” I’m just not sure I can count […]
More Definitions for Estate Planning Terms
FEBRUARY 10, 2014 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 6 Last week we gave you short definitions of some common estate planning terms, like “will” (and “pourover will”), “trust” (including both “living” and “testamentary” trust), “grantor trust” and more. This week we want to continue that project with another batch of common terms: Durable power of attorney — […]
Improving Communication Between You and Your Doctor
AUGUST 2, 2010 VOLUME 17 NUMBER 24 Your doctor is busy. She is seeing dozens of patients every day, and their insurance plans force her to get those patients taken care of and out the door quickly. By default, she may limit her contact to the minimum necessary to diagnose and treat. But you want […]
Online Video Gives Advice On How to Write Your Living Will
MARCH 1 , 2010 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 7 Everyone should sign a living will and (perhaps more importantly) a health care power of attorney. You knew that already, right? But how should one go about preparing a living will? The answer is deceptively simple. Forms are widely available online, from health care providers and from […]
Advice On Making Health Care Decisions For Someone Else
AUGUST 10, 2009 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 50 When you name someone as your health care agent, you literally entrust them with life-and-death decisions. When you are the agent the job can sometimes seem overwhelming. Sometimes health care decisions must be made by someone who was not even designated in a power of attorney. A “surrogate” […]
What Have We Learned From The Tragedy of Terri Schiavo?
APRIL 4, 2005 VOLUME 12, NUMBER 40 By most reports Terri Schiavo was a shy and quiet woman, and she might well have been distressed if she had anticipated that the process of her dying would become such a public spectacle. Much has been written about her, her family, her wishes, her condition, and the […]
CPR Efforts May Have Violated Nursing Home Rights Law
DECEMBER 22, 2003 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 25 Many of our clients have a visceral reaction to the idea that they might be “kept alive by machines” after they are no longer able to make health care decisions for themselves. That is why they sign “advance directives” like health care powers of attorney and living wills. […]
