Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Estate Planning Attorneys provide individuals with the information they need to make educated decisions that are forward looking and are aimed at protecting their future and the futures of their loved ones..
This is our Estate Planning presentation (PDF) discussing the important documents you should have and why its important not only to have them, but to keep them current. (more…)
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
By Attorney Amy Baron
Andover, MA Estate Planning Lawyer
Even though Massachusetts does not recognize the living will to be an enforceable legal document; as an Attorney, I still advise my clients to have one, but not just your typical living will – a form too general in my opinion. I provide my clients with the Five Wishes document. If they so choose to execute this document, it provides them a vehicle for controlling how they will be treated if they become seriously ill. It addresses 1) the person they want to make care decisions for them when they cannot, 2) the kind of medical treatment they want and don’t want, 3) how comfortable they want to be, 4) how they want people to treat them and 5) what they want their loved ones to know. There is a pressing need for individuals to be as specific as possible about their wishes. People must prepare, plan and assert!
As a Registered Nurse, I have seen all too often patients, families, healthcare providers and even the courts debating about end of life care and treatment. Unfortunately, most of the debates surround specific life sustaining measures without really addressing how the life is going to come to an end. End of life care and treatment brings about many questions, much more than just: do I want a machine to breathe for me or do I want to be given food and water by way of a medical device (tube feeding)? People must advocate for themselves now when they are able! (more…)
