NO WRITING = NO RIGHTS
Are you 18 years of age or older? Then now is the time to set your landing gear! To begin, prepare your Healthcare Directive and Power of Attorney so if you have a medical or mental health crisis that causes you to be incapacitated, YOU get to choose who will act on your behalf, make decisions for you, and handle all of your affairs if you are unable to act on your own volition. Many people don’t have any plan in writing, or a poor plan. No planning, or poor planning, will cause a crash landing, heartache, headache, time, and money.
Some states permit emergency medical decision-making by your next of kin, known as a “surrogate” law. New Jersey does not have a surrogate law. Instead, New Jersey requires a court proceeding known as a “Special Medical Guardianship” proceeding.
No state permits anyone to manage an adult’s financial and legal matters without a Power of Attorney or appointed Guardian.
Avoid a guardianship proceeding. These two documents are tailored to your personal circumstances and can change over time. Edwards Estate & Elder Law can assist you in creating these vital customized documents, teach you how to use them, and ensure your wishes are followed.
A powerful video, “Ain’t the Way to Die”, can be seen here:
Credit: ZDogg MD. Shared with permission.
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