Wills, Living Wills, and Durable Powers of Attorney – Protecting Yourself and Your Family

I am often surprised at how few people including professionals and executives have met with an attorney and drafted Wills, Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorneys in the event they or a family member get sick or have a terrible accident and cannot speak for themselves, or die.

I know that generally none of us want to think that we are going to die or want to prepare for the inevitable—I too want to believe I am immortal and will never lose my conscious stream of existence and thus I am in denial of my mortality—but too often we see tragedies at our firm and more often than not the injured victims or decedents do not have a Will, or a Living Will or a Durable Power of Attorney.  As a result of this lack of foresight and not being prepared, doctors, nurses, hospitals and families go through extreme anguish and stress because no one is sure what the injured person wanted or desired, or there is a conflict among family members as to that person’s wishes, or the doctors are not sure what to do or to whom they should speak because there is lack of formal documentation that everyone can rely on.  This is particularly alarming and difficult when there is resuscitation or a DNR issue, or when someone is in a coma.  I strongly encourage you to meet with one of our probate/estate lawyers and finalize such documents so that you better protect yourself and loved ones.  It is very inexpensive insurance for you and your family and all those who care about you.