Post By George in Dead Celebrities
A “health care proxy” appoints someone to make medical decisions for you (and review your medical records) when you can’t do so for yourself. A “living will” is a declaration about which life-prolonging measures you do/don’t want when you become terminally ill or incapacitated. (Many instruct against invasive feeding and artificial respiration in irreversible conditions; this was the issue in the Terry Schiavo case.) You absolutely ought to have both of these instruments in your family portfolio! I draft them together in the same document, two pages long, reasonably clear, using state-approved language, and if you call me up, I will be happy to do yours for free. Yes. If you’ve got thirty minutes and will come to my office, I’ll provide the forms, the pens, the two witnesses, and the notary. Supplies are not limited.
Post By George in Dead Celebrities
I’m amazed at the number of prospective clients who have wills but don’t know the location of their signed, “wet ink” originals (either they don’t know where the document is, or they think it’s with the attorney-draftsman and they don’t know where s/he is). This is not a good situation – sort of like losing an album’s master tapes. If your executor can’t produce the signed original, that creates a presumption that the will was revoked, which can be an invitation to ugly, expensive, ongoing litigation (especially if a prior will is available).Wherever you decide to store your estate planning documents, be sure those-who-come-after will be able to find them!
Post By George in Dead Celebrities
Early indications are that the disputes surrounding Jacko’s children and riches will continue his legacy of entertainment for years to come… “Tsk!” you say, “That’s not a problem I’ll ever have.” Well, you may not own half the Sony music catalog or a closet full of un-matched gloves to auction, nor are you likely to name Diana Ross as your successor guardian, but it’s likely that you have (i) some assets and (ii) some family, and that’s where trouble starts… Stay tuned for occasional tidbits on my new favorite case: Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson.
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