Criminal Law    Family Law    Real Estate     Landlord / Tenant Law

The Law Office of J. Michael Sheldon

Wills and Power of Attorney

WILL  

It is estimated that one out of five Americans does not have a Will, or any other device that directs how his or her assets are to be divided at death. A standard Will can explain in detail what your wishes are after you are no longer here to speak for yourself. Without a Will, the state may be the one who decides the fate of your lifetime's treasures.

A Will can provide a solution to this concern. It is very easy to execute and extremely affordable. In many instances, this matter can be addressed by a brief telephone call and the completion of a three-page form I will send to you. This depends on the complexity of your estate and your final wishes. However, once I have all of the necessary information, the final papers can completed and mailed to you with specific instructions on how to execute the document. 

LIVING  WILL

Often referred to as an "Advanced Health Care Declaration," this type of Will is different from a standard Will. The Living Will directs what is to happen to you in the tragic event that you are kept alive by means of medical machinery or, perhaps, in a coma.

At first glance, this type of Will may seem a bit difficult to consider; however, it is the only mechanism that ensures your decisions regarding your medical treatment and/or any consequences are carried out accordingly.

There are, essentially, two types available: secular, designd to address religious considerations such as the Roman Catholic faith; and, non-secular, which is more of a universal approach.

Easily drafted, this type of Will also allows you to designate another individual as a medical surrogate--someone who makes the necessary medical decisions in the event that you cannot or it can help you make those types of decisions in advance without the intervention of a third-party. 

The information for this document can be provided via the telephone, with the final papers and specific instructions for execution being sent in confidence to you. This product is easy to complete and even more affordable than a Standard Will. 

POWER  OF  ATTORNEY

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows another person of your choosing to act on your behalf in legal matters. 

The POA gives that person essentially the same power as if you were acting by yourself in making the decision. However, this power is not unlimited. By adding simple wording within the document, you can restrict the individual's decision-making power to a certain time period, a certain event or both. For this document, both you and the person receiving the POA will be required to sign it.