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Last WillIt’s easy to put off those legal documents attorneys and financial experts advise us to prepare: advance directives, wills, powers of attorney, etc.
What happens when you do? Witness my sister’s close friend, Domonique, who recently had a massive stroke. He was 42.
Domonique was separated from his wife whom he planned to divorce this year. They did not have a good relationship and she was the last person he wanted involved in his personal affairs.
Domonique had completed an advance directive naming my sister, a medical professional, and his brother as his healthcare co-agents. In this capacity, these two should have been able to make medical decisions on Domonique’s behalf.
But, Domonique did not sign his advance directive. This made a huge difference at the hospital. Because of the lack of his signature, exactly what Dominique wanted to avoid happened: the hospital called his wife. She was the one who could legally make his healthcare decisions.
Domonique did not survive the stroke. Since there were no legal documents naming who was to be in charge, his estranged wife proceeded to hold an elaborate funeral, the type of service that Domonique did not want.
Domonique had no will.  Guess who petitioned the court to settle his affairs?
Perhaps you do have a will, advance directive, and other documents prepared. Has your situation changed? If you have divorced, married, had a child, or experienced other significant life changes since you prepared them, you may want to update your documents.
Learn from Domonique. Don’t die without your papers in order.
 
What are some obstacles you face in completing your legal documents?


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