Trusts
Summary A trust is a legal creation that can own assets such as money, property, and stocks. When a person transfers assets into the trust, those assets now belong to the trust, not the person. This article names the basic types of trusts, as well as some common specific kinds. It then lists some of […]
Will and testament
Summary A will is a legal document that states what a person wants done with their assets after they die. This article explains the main contents of most wills, the limits on a will’s legal power, and what happens when someone dies without a will. It then briefly describes the most common ways of making […]
Revocable living trust
Summary A revocable living trust is a type of living trust that allows the trustor to change or revoke (take back) the trust at any time, as long as they are mentally competent. This article explains what a living trust is and the difference between revocable and irrevocable living trusts. It then explains how to […]
Advance directives
Summary Advance directives are legal documents that say what kind of medical treatment a person wishes to receive in an emergency or at end-of-life, and gives their health-care providers the right to act on those wishes. This article briefly describes the most common kinds of advance directives. It then explains why advance directives are important […]
Portable medical orders (POLST)
Summary A portable medical document, or POLST, is a one-page medical form, filled out by a health-care professional, that says what a frail or seriously ill person’s care and treatment wishes are in a medical emergency. This article discusses who should fill out a POLST form, what the form does, and the difference between POLST […]
Medical power of attorney
Summary Medical power of attorney is a legal document where one person gives another person the power to make medical decisions for them once they can no longer do so for themselves. This article defines medical power of attorney and explains when its powers start and end. It also lists some of the key powers […]
Living wills
Summary A living will is a legal document that says which kinds of life-support and pain-management care a person does or does not want. Doctors use it as a guide when their patient has lost the ability to say for themselves what kind of treatment they want. This article explains when the living will takes […]
HIPAA authorization for medical records
Summary HIPPA authorization for medical records is a form that an individual fills out and signs in order to allow their doctor, health insurer, or other health care-related person or group to share their personal health care information with their caregivers and family members. This article describes what HIPPA is and what a HIPAA authorization […]
Health care documents
Summary Health care documents are a set of legal forms and papers that state a person’s wishes for medical care and treatment when they are seriously ill, in a medical emergency, or nearing the end-of-life. The documents give health providers and caregivers guidance, and also make it legal for doctors to withhold certain kinds of […]
Guardianship
Summary A guardian is someone who has the legal right to make decisions and take action for another person. Guardianship occurs if a person is incapable of deciding or acting for themselves and has not made arrangements for someone of their own choice to act for them. This article explains how someone becomes a guardian, […]