The Legal Stuff

The Legal Stuff

Updating documents — when life changes require legal changes

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father signed his power of attorney ten years ago. He named your mother as his healthcare power

The Legal Stuff

Where to keep these documents — accessibility matters in emergencies

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother called at ten at night. She'd fallen. She thought she might have broken her

The Legal Stuff

Getting documents signed when cognitive decline has already started — what's still valid

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You finally brought it up. You asked your father if he'd be willing to sign a

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What happens if there's no power of attorney — the guardianship path

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your mother had a stroke. She survived, but the stroke left her unable to manage her own affairs.

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POLST and MOLST forms — medical orders that travel with the patient

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Your father has been declining for months. His dementia is progressing. He has heart disease. He's

The Legal Stuff

HIPAA authorization — getting legal access to their medical information

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. You called your parent's doctor with a simple question: how did the lab results come back?

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DNR orders — what they mean and how they work

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. The call came in the middle of the night. Your mother had collapsed at home. The paramedics arrived,

The Legal Stuff

Advance directives — the documents that speak when they can't

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Advance Directives: The Documents That Speak When They Can't An advance directive is an umbrella term

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Living wills explained — putting their wishes on paper

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Living Wills Explained: Putting Their Wishes on Paper Your parent is seventy-eight years old and has a heart

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When to get power of attorney — the window is smaller than you think

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. When to Get Power of Attorney: The Window Is Smaller Than You Think The idea is usually the

The Legal Stuff

Healthcare power of attorney vs. financial power of attorney — they're different

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Healthcare Power of Attorney vs. Financial Power of Attorney: They're Different If you've started

The Legal Stuff

Power of attorney explained — the document you need before you need it

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Every family situation is different, and you should consult with appropriate professionals about your specific circumstances. Power of Attorney Explained: The Document You Need Before You Need It You're standing in a