I'm confused by what the average person "needs." A trust, a living will, a will? What is the difference?
I don't have complicated legal issues - my children are grown and gone. But I'm 67 years old and want to protect what little assets I have - primarily a home that is paid for. My bank account is payable on death to my children.
Not sure where to start, but I've seen ads from lawyers for a "simple trust" and they all seem to start over $1000.00.
Any suggestions?
Judy in NV
1|1|I'm interested, too.........|KellyJef|burke3536@yahoo.com|11:34:22|03/04/2011|
We're 64 and are trying to "get our affairs in order" for my daughter.
The only thing we've done so far is gotten financial powers of attorney for both of us (cost us $100 each).
We've also had the initial appointment with a funeral director because we want to pre-pay our funeral expenses for our cremations.
We're having the most trouble figuring out the medical care proxies cause you have to decide a gazillion details like whether you want feeding tubes, hydration, DNR's, etc.
But I want to get everything done by the end of this year. 2|1|Some legal forms available online|flyvanguard|flyvanguard@yahoo.com|13:00:36|03/04/2011|
i'm not much of a legal-minded person so i'm not sure what everyone needs. i do know, though, that the living will is VERY important ... it's the document that deals with how you want your health care to be handled if you can't make the decision (i think some people call them DNR's or "do not recusicate - sp?). you can usually leave these with your family doctor or your local hospital.
also, i listen to dave ramsey (LOVE him) and he's always talking about legalzoom.com - i think they have "state specific" wills, etc. not sure if they're free or not but if they do cost they're probably low cost.
hth ~ s 3|2|Thanks - I'll give legalzoom a try|Momfisher|Momfisher@aol.com|13:28:18|03/04/2011|
legalzoom.com 5|2|Just remember that a DNR form does not cover your wishes for whether or not you want a feeding tube, ventilator, etc...that would be covered under a living will...a DNR only covers CPR/resuscitation/use of defibrillator.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|15:17:58|03/04/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
4|1|cye|Arizona|vbj48@cox.net|13:34:50|03/04/2011|
v 6|1|You will want to address two issues in the event that you can not make your own decisions or handle your own affairs....one is for financial and the other is for healthcare....there is a Financial POA and a Healthcare POA, or you can name one person as both under a Durable POA....|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|15:19:17|03/04/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
7|2|POA|Momfisher|Momfisher@aol.com|17:13:18|03/04/2011|
Ok, but I dont' know what a POA is...
Oh geez, I'm so naive about such things.
Would a living trust just take care of the financial side, i.e. my house, bank accounts, etc.... or could a living trust also designate someone to make medical decisions for me if I could not? 8|3|POA is Power of Attorney (sorry about that, lol).....I am not sure about trusts, so can't answer that for sure. But with POA papers you can name one for financial, one for healthcare decisions, or one person for both.|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|19:03:27|03/04/2011|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
9|1|There was a place online that|wegogo|mike15461@gmail.com|18:34:48|03/05/2011|
I found that mails you out free booklets to fill in what you want for these types of questions they asked you. I can't remember exactly but it was very helpful and though I am younger mine are done due to health issues and pets. Something like your life but if you search free health or living or advanced care or health choices or when I die booklets or the suck you will probably find a bunch. Maybe even something printable. Also I think I got power of attorney done either free or 20 bucks at the courthouse recorder of deeds or wills. There may even be free info/papers at one of the .gov websites. 10|1|Found a link with info and downloadable forms for you to checkmark and write choices/response|wegogo|mike15461@gmail.com|18:53:34|03/05/2011|
http://www.rihlp.org/pubs/Your_life_your_choices.pdf
http://dying.about.com/od/palliativeendoflifecare/p/lifeseries.htm
Not the exact booklet I got but see what you think and search for more like end of life choices booklet or manual, living will, etc