How to Responsibly Manage Your (Legal & Medical) Affairs

Every adult should take it upon himself to be responsible about his affairs; and that includes learning what is required and legal in his specific state of residence and following through with all necessary documentation. For anyone who does not already know this, each state has its own laws governing such documentation and how it must be implemented, so it is important for the individual to acquire this information.

As a general rule, the following are relevant to most adults, and should be checked into on the basis of one's personal situation:

In brief, the Last Will and Testament is something which most people are at least vaguely familiar with, but fewer are knowledgeable about each state's specific requirements. A hand-written Will, for example, is not recognized as legally valid in some states. Drawing up one's Will is best done with the assistance of an attorney, as well as updating a Will when necessary due to changes in one's state of residence, marriage or divorce, or having children. When preparing to draft a Will, one should put careful consideration into the choice of Executor.

Organ Donation is a topic which is sometimes misunderstood, regarding each state's specific laws covering the procedures by which one's wishes are to be carried out. Simply filling out a card and having it in your wallet is not enough; it is necessary to also discuss the matter with your family and next-of-kin to ensure that your wishes will be honored.

It is important to note that whatever "last requests" you may have, not be considered a part of your Will, because a Will is generally not read until a later point in time. It is a good idea to document your last requests separately, and also furnish this information to your family members. There have been many instances where people have made the mistake of including their wishes and preferences for memorial services, disposition of remains, etc., in their Last Will and Testament, resulting in it being too late for these requests to be carried out.

An Advance Medical Directive - in some locations known as Directive to Physicians-can often be found at hospitals and in doctors' offices; however, it should be noted that when one relies on that form, it frequently neglects to mention that such forms often reflect the hospital's preferences or manner, rather than informing patients of their full legal rights. The purpose of a Directive is for a person to make known his decisions regarding his own healthcare-- and for his decisions to be adhered to. A Directive must also state that if the physician in charge of your care does not wish to abide by your decisions, he must be willing to bring in a physician who will. A good Directive should be as specific and detailed as possible-- very clear about what you want and what you consider to be unacceptable procedures.

A Healthcare Proxy is the person you choose to act in your behalf, to make and/or carry out the decisions regarding your medical care in the event that you are unable to do so for yourself. It is essential to select someone who is both in agreement with your requests and willing to take on this responsibility if it becomes necessary.

A Power of Attorney is based on the same criteria, but covers the wider scope of one's legal and personal affairs. Again, it is absolutely essential to choose someone who is trustworthy.

Guardianship of minor children is a topic which requires careful thought and consideration. Even when one is married to the children's biological parent, the possibility that one may not survive the other cannot be overlooked; the decisions regarding guardianship in such a case should be in writing. In circumstances when one is not married to the biological parent, it is even more imperative to make the guardianship decisions clear in a legally-binding document, as well as to discuss the issue with all parties whom it involves.

All adults, but especially those with underage children, should have life insurance, considered in terms of one's financial abilities and family situation.

All of the above-mentioned topics should be reviewed periodically, and updated whenever necessary due to changes in one's life. Every adult should make a point of being informed about what his state's laws require, what is relevant to him and in the best interests of his family, and to take the steps necessary to put and keep his affairs in order.