Whether you are a newlywed couple, just starting your family, have adult children, have no children, recently retired, or have experienced a recent  change in your family or finances, it is important to have an estate plan, and to review it often.

Probate courts are a special court division that handles matters related to the settlement and distribution of a decedent’s estate, whether he or she had a Will (Last Will and Testament) or passed away without a Will (intestate).  Probate courts will also handle disputes that may arise relating to trusts, whether created during the settlor’s (the person who funded and created the trust) lifetime or after his or her death (although if there are no disputes, traditionally a trust matter would not go through probate court).

A Power of Attorney is a special estate and life planning tool and legal document which gives someone of your choosing the power to act in a legal capacity in your place.  This creates a special trust relationship, where the person you have appointed must act in your best interests, and not theirs or anyone else’s interests.

An important right we have is that we can make our own decisions about our healthcare and treatment plans, and it is central to our concept of dignity, independence, and freedom in America.  A competent adult has the right to consent or refuse medical treatment or medical services.  However, due to illness or injury, one may not be able to communicate his or her wishes with respect to the medical treatment they desire to consent to or refuse.