The importance of a living will: In the wintry season of 1963, on December 3, Mary and Robert Schindler welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Theresa Marie, fondly known as Terri. Growing up in Pennsylvania, she enjoyed a normal childhood filled with playtimes with her siblings and pets and exploring her passion for music and art sketching. As she blossomed into adulthood, Terri tied the knot with Michael Schiavo in November 1984, a few days short of her twenty-first birthday. Settled in Florida … [Read more...] about A Family Fractured by a Heartbreaking Oversight
Incapacity Planning for Alzheimer’s Patients
Incapacity planning is of utmost importance, especially for individuals diagnosed with conditions like Alzheimer's that are likely to lead to progressive cognitive decline. This planning ensures that the patient's wishes regarding their health care and finances are followed even when they are no longer able to make these decisions themselves. One of the first steps in incapacity planning is the creation of a durable power of attorney (POA). This document allows the individual, while they … [Read more...] about Incapacity Planning for Alzheimer’s Patients
My Child is 18, Now What?
As a parent, you've watched your child grow from a wobbly toddler taking their first steps to a confident young adult about to turn 18. You've been there through every milestone, from their first day of school to their first little league game. You've helped them learn how to ride a bike and have cheered them on as they've grown into their own person. Now, as your child approaches adulthood, you're faced with a new set of challenges. While your love and support for them will never … [Read more...] about My Child is 18, Now What?
Common Questions Associated With Incapacity Planning
With so much to think about, it’s easy to put incapacity planning on the back burner. This is even more so the case if you’re young and healthy. But that’s no reason to put it off. You need a comprehensive incapacity plan that can provide you and your family with peace of mind. Here are some of the most common questions associated with incapacity planning: Some of these are simple to answer, while others are much more advanced. You don’t have to tackle all of these questions right now, … [Read more...] about Common Questions Associated With Incapacity Planning
Could Your Hospital Kill You?
Could your hospital kill you by deciding that you are too sick and should have treatment withheld? Quite possibly. The Teri Schiavo story showed the importance of expressing your wishes and doing a Living Will, if that is your choice. The case of Hanford Pinette shows, at times a Living Will may conflict with the person you designate to make health care decisions for you. In many ways, Hanford Pinette was a very typical American. He was a Korean War veteran and a government engineer. When he … [Read more...] about Could Your Hospital Kill You?
Life is an Interesting Ride
Life is an interesting ride with many surprises. Who would have expected it to turn out the way it has? Forty years ago, as we walked to our local library, who would have thought that we could have more information available at our fingertips online than would fit in any library? Who would have guessed that these high school dropouts would have been so successful: Julie Andrews (actress / singer), Louis Armstrong (jazz musician), Kevin Bacon (actor), Lucille Ball (comedienne), … [Read more...] about Life is an Interesting Ride
Alzheimer’s Disease & Estate Planning
Estate planning is traditionally looked at as an exercise that involves preparing your assets for distribution to your loved ones at the time of your death. This is certainly part of the exercise but there's more to it, because the fact is that people usually go through a period of decline due to advanced age before actually passing away. So, estate planning is considered to be one important aspect of the broader specialty of elder law, and most estate planning attorneys also consider themselves … [Read more...] about Alzheimer’s Disease & Estate Planning
Anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s Death
March 31st, marks the anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death. More than any other story, Ms. Schiavo’s situation brought the need for living wills and other advance directives to the forefront of everyone’s attention. In the past year, an unprecedented number of people have explored their personal health care desires and made plans for their end-of-life wishes. However, despite the increased attention and understanding, most American still have not put their wishes down on … [Read more...] about Anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s Death
Putting Your Legal Life Back Together After Divorce
On your wedding day, everything seems like a dream. You have planned for it. You imagine the life you’ll build with your new spouse. You are filled with hope and expectation. Perhaps you even imagine growing old together and celebrating your golden anniversary surrounded by your children and grandchildren. However, nearly half of American marriages today are likely to end in divorce. In fact, only 5% of couples will ever make it to celebrate that golden, 50th anniversary together. If … [Read more...] about Putting Your Legal Life Back Together After Divorce
Preparing for the Unthinkable
Compliments of the McGee Law Firm, Attorney Brandon McGee Nobody thinks they will be in an auto accident, have a heart attack, have a stroke, or a myriad of other unexpected, sudden incidents. Those are events that happen to other, unfortunate people – not to us. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, auto accidents injure over 2.5 million people in the United States each year. Over 42,000 of those accidents result in death. In addition, … [Read more...] about Preparing for the Unthinkable
