General Info & Resources

This page contains links to LOTS of information about different planning tools and instruments.  If it feels overwhelming, don’t worry!  A law librarian or attorney will help you through this process.  

In the meantime, though, it might help to take a look at some of these resources. For each one, think about: Do I need this?  What is it and why do people use this? 

Advance Health Care Directives (AHCDs):  

An advance directive is a legally binding document that outlines your healthcare wishes and allows a person you choose to make health decisions for you when you are no longer able to make those  decisions. It helps your family to know what your wishes are and helps any doctors treating you to follow your wishes if you are unable to speak for yourself or make your own medical decisions.  This ensures that you choose what care plans are best for you, even if you’re unable to participate in the conversation.  You can also change your advance directive if your health situation evolves. Advance directives can include instructions on preferences for hospital and home care, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and more.

*Contains Some Technical Legal Language

Psychiatric Advance Directives (PADs):

A psychiatric advance directive is a legal document that describes your preferences for future mental health treatment, and allows appointment of a health proxy to interpret those preferences during a crisis.  PADs may be drafted when a person is well enough to make decisions about future mental health treatment.  PADs are then used when a person becomes unable to make decisions during a mental health crisis.

*Contains Some Technical Legal Language

Wills:  

A will is a legal document that becomes effective upon your death and describes how you want your property distributed.  A will can also designate whom you want to care for your minor children or other dependents.  All property left in a will must go through a court process called probate.  If you have no advance plan (no will or trust) then the State will decide how to distribute your property and who can take care of your dependents.

*Contains Some Technical Legal Language

Trusts:  

A living trust is also a document that describes how you want your property distributed.  A trust takes effect while you’re still living though; you transfer property into the trust, yet you still have control of the trust and can make changes or additions. A trust can also provide instructions about who manages assets that you leave to minors or others you do not want to have immediate, full access to the assets.  Property distributed via a living trust is generally not subject to probate and does not necessarily need to go through a court process.  If you have no advance plan (no will or trust) then the State will decide how to distribute your property and who can take care of your dependents.

*Contains Some Technical Legal Language

Power of Attorney (POA):

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives another person legal authority to act on your behalf.  Using a POA you can give your agent broad, ongoing powers, such as handling all of your finances, or limit him/her to specific actions and dates, for example helping you with your financial matters if you ever become incapacitated.

*Contains Some Technical Legal Language

Information for Those with Minor Children

Choosing an Executor or Trustee

Classes & Workshops

Helpful free classes and videos for you to learn more about the advanced planning process.