Last Will & Testament

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a will with your loved one.

It can be a very difficult thing to get someone to complete a Last Will and Testament. In fact, it is often neglected because people don't like to discuss or deal with end of life issues. However, family and friends can encourage their loved ones by discussing the consequences of not having a Will. One thing that might help you in the discussion is to remember that discussing a Will is not the same as planning one's eventual demise. A Last Will and Testament is a way to control what happens to all of the things you worked so hard for in your life. For example, who will take care of your pets, your things, your money, your house and property? Without a Will, the courts or the government can make these decisions for you and the results may not be what you want.

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.

Advanced Directives

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a series of advanced directives with your loved one.

Advanced directives instruct your doctor or any medical care professional regarding the kind of care you want. This includes a living will, DNR orders, and health care proxy. 

Completing advanced directives can be completed in a variety of ways;

• Utilize reliable online assistance and forms through LegalZoom.

• Consult your doctor(s) regarding advanced directive forms that you can use.

• Contact an elder law attorney to assist you with completing all of your advanced directives.

• Utilize computer software packages that will assist you in filling out appropriate documents.

• Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or health department for forms.

• Write your wishes and have them witnessed by family and friends.

Please note that whatever option you use, advanced directives should be registered with a proper authority. Please check your local laws for advanced directives: US Living Wills Registry

Additionally, once completed, uploaded all your legal forms an save them for future access at the CaringSource documents storage: Magnus Health Portal. 

Advanced Directives: DNR Orders

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders with your loved one.

A DNR order is a kind of advanced directive that is usually included in the Living Will. In the event that your heart stops beating or you stop breathing, the DNR order instructs the medical team that your wishes are not to be resuscitated. This includes performing CPR or being intubated with a mechanical ventilation device.

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.

Advanced Directives: Health Care Proxy

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a health care proxy with your loved one.

A health care proxy is not the same as a durable power of attorney. The health care proxy is very specific and allows someone to make decisions for you in case you are unable to do so yourself. However, it does not usurp your decision-making ability, nor does it give them the ability to override any decisions you make.

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.

Advanced Directives: Living Wills

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a a Living Will with your loved one.

A living will (also referred to as “advanced directives”) and tends to answer questions like:

1. Who do I want to make decisions for me when I can't?

2. What kind of medical treatment do I want or don't want?

3. How comfortable do I want to be?

4. How do I want people to treat me?

5. What do I want my loved ones to know?

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.

Power of Attorney

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a Durable Power of Attorney with your loved one.

A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to act on someone else's behalf. The power of attorney can be for something very specific or more general for all types of decisions. Some of the most important are embodied in the Healthcare Power of Attorney which includes advance directives, psychiatric advance directives, living wills, and healthcare proxies. The right type of power of attorney documents can even allow you to vote in someone’s stead. However, it is important to speak with an elder law attorney and let them know your individual situation and needs.

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.

Trusts

Discuss the advantages of completing vs. the consequences of neglecting to complete a Trust/Revocable Living Trust with your parents/loved ones.

A trust allows one person to manage the property of another. This can be important if your loved one is absent or incapacitated and cannot manage this on their own.

A Revocable Living Trust is set up during someone's lifetime and is created to save money on taxes or setup long term property management.

An elder law attorney can help you with this document. The American Bar Association andThe National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys are two great resources for finding an Elder Law Attorney in your area.

A simple and efficient option is to use Legal Zoom. LegalZoom can quickly assist you in creating many of the legal documents you need.

Additionally, many local universities, community organizations, and local Area Agencies on Aging provide elder law workshops, and even provide free legal counsel to those in need. A university with a law school is a great place to begin your search.

Remember to upload your documents to Magnus Health Portal so that all of your important documents are in an accessible, secure location.