The New York Times has a recent article called “An Ill Father, A Life and Death Decision.” It’s about a daughter who has been appointed as the health care proxy for her father. This means that when he is unable to make or communicate his health care decisions, she communicates his wishes to his health [...]
Estate planning, elder law, special needs, probate, guardianship. Leanna Hamill, Hingham
Category Archives: Living Wills
How to Communicate Your Health Care Wishes
As part of the work I do with my clients, one of the things we always talk about at our first meeting is whether they have signed a health care proxy. A health care proxy is a legal document which appoints another person to make health care decisions for you in the event you are [...]
Terry Schiavo, Part 2?
The Palm Beach Post in Florida is reporting a case that is similar to the Terry Schiavo case of a few years ago. Both cases involve a young woman who has become incapacitated and did not leave behind written instructions regarding her wishes for medical care in that circumstance. These instructions are often referred to [...]
How Clear Are Your Last Wishes?
This is the title to a recent New York Times health blog post. (You need to register to read it, but it is free.)
The author recounts her experience with her family trying to deal with her grandfather’s illness and their attempts to interpret his wishes about the end of his life. She writes:
…the [...]
Living Wills – You Need to be Specific
I’ve heard it said that the Health Care Proxy is the keys to the car, and the Living Will is the map. If you want your health care agent to be able to make good decisions for you when you are unable to decide for yourself, then you need to give them a detailed map [...]
Changing Your Living Will During Pregnancy
Most people think that the time to revise their estate plan, including their health care proxy and living will is when a big change occurs: marriage, birth of a child, divorce, etc. However, as Shelly Mactyre, of The Fig Tree points out, you may wish to change your living will or health care directive when [...]
Living Wills – One Year After Terri Schiavo
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has posted an article stressing the importance of having a living will (sometimes called a life support statement) drawn up.
While the spotlight this time last year on the Terri Schiavo case
brought forth a great deal of discussion generated about life and death
issues, the National Academy of Elder [...]
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Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.
Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.