5 Must–Have Legal Documents

Five Must-Have Legal Documents

Whether you’re a caregiver or interested in getting your own business in order, we’ve identified five recommended legal documents that every adult should have. There are many online resources that explain in further detail about each document. If you have an attorney, be sure to ask about these documents or there are online resources that provide a free template for you to create your own. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take a moment to get organized.

ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

Also known as a living will or health care declaration/directive, this document outlines your wishes for medical treatments and life-sustaining measures, in the case that you are not able to communicate them verbally. Details might include a “do not resuscitate” order (DNR), the use

of breathing machines, tube feeding or organ donation. Making these decisions in advance lets medical professionals know what measures to take and grants your loved ones peace of mind, should they have to communicate these decisions for you.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE

While an advance directive is limited to end-of-life concerns, a durable power of attorney for health care accounts for all health care decisions in the case that you are incapable of making decisions for yourself. In this document, you are able to outline how your designated power of attorney should act. Their authority to make these decisions ends when you are once again capable of making your own decisions.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

Many people know this document simply as a “will.” It outlines how your property (including digital property such as email accounts and blogs) should be distributed and to whom. Different states have different requirements for one’s will. In Texas your will must be signed by two witnesses.

LIVING TRUST

A living trust designates someone (trustee) to help manage and distribute your assets rather than going through the court system, as in a last will. This often prevents your last wishes from becoming public record. This document also designates terms in which the trustee would set into action, should you be unable to make decisions regarding your assets during and after your life.

FINANCIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

This document designates someone (principal) to do business on your behalf, should you be unable to take care of necessary matters yourself. Tasks designated might include paying bills, selling property, managing assets or applying for medical benefits. Unlike a living trust, a financial power of attorney dies when you do.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

eldercareteam.com legalzoom.com nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/advancedirectives.html texasnaela.com texasprobate.com/professional-forms

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This information is not a complete description of benefi ts. Call 1-855-210-7585, TTY 711 for more information. Plans are insured through To see if you qualify to enroll, call today. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affi liated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Benefi ts, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. © 2019 UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Y0066_190816_075423_M SPRJ55715 0029255C Janet King Licensed Sales Representative This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-855-210-7585, TTY 711 for more information. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. © 2019 UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-855-210-7585, TTY 711 for more information. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. © 2019 UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-855-210-7585, TTY 711 for more information. Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/area. Limitations and exclusions apply. © 2019 UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. All rights reserved. SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE!

Legal & Financial Assistance

BENEFITS COUNSELING

Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area 512–916–6062 aaacap.org

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development 512–974–3100 Baptist Community Center Mission 512–478–7243 bccmission.org Travis County Family Support Services 512–854–5871

FINANCIAL AID

For Veterans Impact a Hero 281–430–4344 impactahero.org Horizon Outreach 713–467–4966 horizonoutreach.org Texas VFW Foundation 512–834–8535 texasvfw.org

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Assistant Attorney General’s Office Assists with consumer complaints 512–463–2100 Dispute Resolution Center 512–371–0033 austindrc.org Family Eldercare’s Guardianship and Money Management Programs 512–450–0844 familyeldercare.org Family Law Hotline 713–389–8900 familylawhotline.org Justice in Aging 202–289–6976 justiceinaging.org Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas 512–472–8303 austinlrs.com Legal Aid of Central Texas 512–447–7707 Legal Hotline for Texans 800–622–2520 opt. 3 tlsc.org/legalhotline Texas Legal Services Center 512–477–6000 tlsc.org Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Serving Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Llano, Mason, Travis, Williamson 800–369–9270 trla.org

For Veterans Lone Star Lawyers for Lone Star Veterans, Lone Star Legal Aid 254–756–7944 probono.net

National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) 202–265–8305 nvlsp.org Texas Law Help texaslawhelp.org/veterans-military Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans texasbar.com/veterans Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project 800–622–2520 opt. 2 tlsc.org/vets

LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH ADVANCED DIRECTIVES

Texas Medical Association Provides Directive to Physician and Medical Power of Attorney forms free of charge. 512–370–1300 texmed.org

TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE

Foundation Communities 512–447–0288 foundcom.org