Are you concerned about end of life decisions?
There are Three Documents you may want to have besides a Will:
Hospitals and Nursing Homes usually want both these forms filled out when an elderly patient is admitted–get yours set up ahead of time and reduce the stress on your loved ones.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
If you want to choose who gets to make decisions about your healthcare you will need to grant Healthcare Power of Attorney to a specific person. You do not need an attorney to draft one for you–here is an online sample for the state of Illinois. The document does need to be witnessed and the signatures notarized. We can create one for you if we are creating other documents for you!
Living Will
If you want to spell out what your wishes are for end-of-life medical care if you become unable to make your desires known, fill out a Living Will (also called a directive to physicians or advance directive). You do not need an attorney to draft one for you–here is an example for the state of Illinois.
Power of Attorney for Property
You can also give someone Power of Attorney over your property and grant them the authority to make decisions about your finances such as bank accounts, home sales, and bill payment in case you become unable to handle them. You can specify the precise conditions under which it will take effect. You do not need an attorney to draft one for you–here is an online sample for the state of Illinois.The document does need to be witnessed and the signatures notarized. We can create one for you if we are creating other documents for you!
They can be revised if your situation changes.
One never knows when emergencies will arise–put them in place now and your loved ones will be prepared for whatever happens.
The Illinois Department on Aging has lots of useful information on their website.