What Makes a Good Estate Plan? Being Organized

What Makes a Good Estate Plan? Being Organized

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi

March 12, 2021

What is that old saying, life happens suddenly on a Tuesday morning?  For me, life happened on a Friday morning earlier this month.  Settling down on our sofa with a hot cup of coffee and a new book, my plan was to start the day reading.  Then the phone rang.  Yes, an actual call.  "Husband" flashed across the screen.  

Me: "Hey, what's up?  Did you find your wallet?

Husband: "......Melinda?" came a dazed voice,  unlike my spouse's energetic way of speaking.

Me: "What's the matter?" came out of my mouth as my gut told me something was wrong.

Husband: "um, um,.....I fell off of my bike".  After 16 years together the call I dreaded had arrived.  I am married to a bike commuter, and year-round bike commuter.  The weather had just begun to warm up and he had returned to his 8 mile bike ride to work, using the recommended studded tires. 

Me: "Where are you, what's happened, do you need help?" 

Shifting into lawyer mode I asked a series of very pointed questions and determined that he needed to be picked up for medical attention.  I quick call to our primary care provider resulted in the directive of "head straight to the ER".  Once I had found him (he had been in the middle of a stretch of bike path not accessible via car) and we were at the hospital I learned what had happened in detail.  Biking slowly along the path keeping an eye out for his wallet he thought he'd dropped the night before, he made a left-hand turn onto a bridge and hit an invisible patch of ice. It was enough to send the rear tire flying into the air, tossing him up and off the bike, with him landing on the bike handle.  Abdominal trauma is taken seriously by the UW Hospital ER (thank goodness).  Due to COVID-19 restrictions I was not able to stay.  That afternoon he called saying they were keeping him overnight and asked for a bag with some personal items and clothing. "Oh, hey, the hospital also wants a copy of my power of attorney for health care, can you bring it?"  

In under 5 minutes I had a copy of his up-to-date power of attorney for health care in my hands and headed to the hospital along with the bag I had prepared.  Not knowing if emergency abdominal surgery was in his immediate future, I was quite shaky.  However, being able to put my hands on his POA gave me a small feeling of comfort.

We never know when life will throw us a curve ball.   Many things in life are out of our control.  Having an organized and up-to-date estate plan is under our control.  What works for our personal Estate Planning documents is a 3-ring binder with subject dividers.  Instead of saying English, Math and Science, this binder says: Powers of Attorney; Beneficiary Forms, Will; Financial Assets, etc.  When the call came I knew exactly where the binder was, flipped to the POA section, and pulled out a copy ready to be delivered to the hospital.

When organizing your documents, here are some broad topics your binder (of file cabinet, etc.) should address:

• Powers of Attorney, including extra copies to provide if requested.
• Contact information for key people in your life. For example, relatives, employer (or employees), pet sitter, accountant, child care provider or school.
• Disability and or Long-term care insurance coverage.
• Burial information.  For example, Wisconsin's Authorization for Final Disposition, contact for your place of worship, cemetery plot documents, and elements to include in your obituary. 
• Will and/or Trust.
• Complete listing of your financial assets with documentation/statement.  Examples include: deed to your home or other real estate holdings; life insurance, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, banking services you use, Health Savings Accounts, Stocks, as well as a listing of creditors (credit cards, mortgage, auto loan, student loans, etc).
• Last years federal and state income tax filings.
• Listing of online accounts, such as: social media, email, rewards programs, and automatic billing for utilities, etc.
• Contact information for those who should know if you have passed away.  I include a copy of my most recent holiday card mailing list.

Image by M. Gustafon Gervasi 2019

Thank you for reading.  Please remember that a blog post is not legal advice.  Rather, it is meant to spark thought and discussion.  It is vital for you to consult with an attorney in your state of residence for advice on your specific situation.  Be well, stay safe!

What I've Been Reading: Friendship, by Lydia Denworth

What I've Been Reading
Friendship: The Evolution, Biology and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth
By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi, March 2020

But for the persistence of a close friend, the client would have died.  That was the take-away from a client meeting I had a year or so ago.  Like many people, the client was older, single and lived alone.  Contrary to the client's normal ways, a Saturday evening dinner was canceled because the client was under the weather.

The next morning the client called in sick to teach Sunday School, and upon hearing this news the client's astute and caring friend new something was amiss and showed up at the client's door.  Visibly disoriented, the client's friend knew medical attention was needed.  Refusing the astute friend to call 911, the client agreed to be driven to the ER.  And then the client's memory fades to black. Afterwards the ER doctor told the client "had you stayed at home one hour longer, you would be dead."  Septic shock nearly killed my client.  A friendship saved a life.

Today I finished reading Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond by Lydia Denworth. Her book pulled this memory from the back of my mind to the forefront.  As an estate planning and probate attorney I spend my days preparing client documents related to illness and death.  And I see the strain on faces when I ask who will be your health care agent? Who will be your backup?  So many people have no obvious answer, and the stress is visible.

Denworth's book is heavy on the hard science behind friendship, however, it is worth pushing through if you are more of a social policy student like myself.  Sprinkled throughout the book are the personal stories that bring the science to life, at least for me.  From birth to retirement age (and beyond), Denworth discuss how friendships are formed, and the benefits they provide.  My take-away from this book is that a power of attorney for health care is important, forming the bonds to know who to name is critical.  The more "isolated" an individual feels, the greater the risk of illness.  Denworth states "those who answered that they had five or fewer interactions per month with close friends and family were considered isolated".  Meaning mortality risk was increased.

My only criticism of the book is that it was a bit lite on the how of friendship.  She touches on the role of co-workers, faith-based organizations, community groups, and a group of friends and family.  I would have enjoyed a bit more discussion, and suggestion, on how to build the critical face-to-face time into our busy lives.  I can say her book influenced me.  While reading this week my youngest asked for a sleepover on Friday night with 2 friends.  My first thought was "no, we have a busy weekend, yada yada yada."  Thinking about Denworth's discussion of her children's friends I went against my instinct and not only said "sure", but also invited a friend of my son's to stay over as well.  So our house will be filled with 5 children's voices Friday night.  And when they have trouble settling down and not talking, I'll remind myself that they are forging critical friendship bonds, a lifelong need.

Thank you for reading.  As always, a blog is intended to spark thought and discussion.  It is not legal advice, nor should it be taken as legal advice.  Please consult an attorney in your state of residence for advice specific to your situation.  

The Dalai Lama Comes to Town: Madison, Mental Health and the Month of May

Image by M. Gustafson Gervasi, 2013

May started out for me be attending an event at the local courthouse.  May 1st marked Law Day, celebrating the legal profession, offered free continuing legal education for attorneys, and of course there was cake.  Inspired after listening to a session entitled Lincoln - A Lawyer for the Ages, I returned to my office.  There I found the monthly newsletter from the Dane County Bar Association.  Included was a piece about May being National Mental Health Month, and the fact that members of the legal profession suffer from depression, stress, anxiety, and suicide at levels higher than the average population.  This was a fact I knew. What struck me was mention that both President Lincoln as well as Fighting Bob LaFollette, both members of the profession, suffered from bouts of depression over the course of their lives and careers.  In the week that followed headlines broke stating that the suicide rate among middle aged Americans jumped 40 percent from 1999 to 2010.  A shocking increase.

As I write today, the Dalai Lama is in Madison.  His fourth trip to our gem of a city.  A close relationship with Dr. Richard Davidson (Center for Investigating Healthy Minds).  The morning paper reported his call for improved mental health as a way to cure the world's troubles.  Where to start?  The options are plentiful, but I'll leave you here today with a few signs of depression.  Recognizing a problem is the first step to fixing it -- whether it is yours or another persons:

• Fatigue;
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping;
• Inability to focus;
• Unexplained physical pains;
• Inability to make a decision;
• Crying for no apparent reason; and
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

For a complete list of signs of depression, visit the Mayo Clinics web site.

It's May: Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Image by M. Gustafson Gervasi, 2013 -- Keeping Cool in the summer sun

May 8th -- just a typical day for most people, but in my family we celebrate my husband's birth.  So, of course my post today plays off of his years growing up in the Sunshine State -- where "everyone has a dermatologists".

May, the month of my husband's birth is also National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a fact that came to my attention when reading a newsletter from our local hospital.  It offers 9 steps to reduce exposure.  For example, avoid being in the sun during peak hours, 10am - 4pm.  Where clothing that covers your skin, including a hat.  Click here for the complete list of ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

Avoiding the sun from 10-4 makes sense, but how practical is it?  I cannot help but remember my summers growing up in Madison, and all of the t-ball practices and games I had smack dab in the middle of the afternoon!

Spring Break Checklist -- Lawyer Style

Image by M. Gustafson Gervasi, 2013 -- Door Co., Wisconsin 

It's that time of year.  Daylight last a little longer, snow begins to melt, spring bulbs search for blue sky, and people seek warmer locales to spend 5 to 7 days relaxing.  Spring breakers travel checklists most likely include: set up pet sitter, cancel newspaper, get spending money, pack swimsuit, etc..  And then there are lawyers who travel, especially estate planning lawyers.  Before we head out the door, there are a few things that come to mind:

1. A copy of the power of attorney for health care -- the document that gives another person authority to make medical decisions if I am not able to.  My documents were drafted here in Wisconsin, and should be recognized in any state where I am traveling.  Just as they'd recognize my marriage license, they should recognize this legal form.  Without one on hand, it becomes a scavenger hunt if I am sick or hurt.  It is on my "pack list";
2. Emergency contact to take care of pets if you are delayed due to illness while traveling.  Many people know cats are independent for a few days.  But what happens if your 4 days on the beach turns into a 2 week hospital stay?
3. Contact numbers left on paper.  Yes, your phone is really smart and has all of your friends, relatives, etc. listed including addresses and phone numbers.  What happens if that smart phone is damaged or cannot be found and you are sick.  I leave a list of numbers on top of our estate planning binder: sitter, trustee (if both parents die), Personal Representative.  None of whom know one another.  How hard would it be for loved ones to piece these contacts together for you?
4. Name and location of the preferred doctor / urgent care / hospital for your health insurance.  Spring break tends to fall smack dab in the middle of flu season.  Where will you go in the middle of the night if an ear infection strikes?  Save money and stress by spending 15 minutes collecting this information before you leave for fun in the sun!

Thanks for reading, and where ever you will be over the next few weeks, enjoy the arrival of Spring weather!

Lewis Black, The Center for Disease Control, and Valentine's Day

Image credit:  www.sxc.hu - free image

It's February 14th, and that means it is Valentine's Day.  Reason enough for a shorter, more whimsical post. So I turned to Brainy Quotes.  No, this one is not dripping in sweet sentiments.  It's from Lewis Black.

"What I find most disturbing about Valentine's Day is, look, I get you have a have a holiday of love, but in the height of flu season, it makes no sense." - Lewis Black

And from that I will provide you with a link the the CDC's six recommendations on avoiding the flu:

1. Avoid close contact;
2. Stay home if you are sick;
3. Cover your mouth and nose;
4. Clean your hands;
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth; and
6. Practice other healthy behavior (drink water, exercise, etc.)

Enjoy this day devoted to love, in the midst of flu season!  I'll be back tomorrow with more serious thoughts on illness, death and taxes for the middle class. 

A Lawyer in the Doctor's Office

Earlier today I waited patiently in the exam room for a doctor.  I questioned the visit, but in the end was happy I went.  Turns out that at age 39 I had an ear infection.  And according to the doctor, if you were a baby you'd be screaming your head off!  

While waiting I noticed that the wall calendar was compliments of Agrace Hospice care.  Odd choice for a family doctor's office.  Not the exact message I may want, or maybe it was an intentional reminder that we all face the same destination.

Beyond treating my inflamed ear, I was interviewing this doctor to be my primary care physician as I prepare to enter a new decade, and tackle the new health standards that will follow.  Yes, you read that correctly, I was interviewing her.  Will we work together, etc.  My decision to screen doctors was reinforced this past week when reading the 3-part series in the Wisconsin State Journal about medical malpractice and other horrors.  More than ever it seems, it is essential for patients to be proactive in doctor selection.

How about you -- did you interview your doctor prior to establishing a relationship?

Why I Didn't Get a Flu Shot....Even Though It Was On My To-Do List

Image credit:  www.sxc.hu - free image

Shame on me, no flu shot this year.  The reasons why are worth examination.  Knowing the obstacles might just increase the chances of more vaccinations in years to come.

1. I'm not pregnant nor are my children one and under.  Yes, I admit that while bringing new life into this world I was more exacting with my health.  I ate right, slept more, avoided caffeine, and got a flu shot;
2. Walk-in clinics at Target and other pharmacies aren't exactly easy.  Most trips include having my children in tow (imagine shopping with Thing One and Thing Two from a Dr. Seuss book), so my focus is to get in, get our stuff, and get out.  Making a stop that requires me removing the layers we all wear here in the Upper Midwest to receive a shot is not easy.  And if it is not easy, well, it slides on my priority list....even though it should not;
3. My doctor's office requires an appointment.  Seriously?  If there were a walk-in clinic that also worked well with the hours our sitter is available it would be far easier to work into my schedule.  Maybe they did offer a clinic, if so, word never reached my in-box; and
4. It hurts.  I know that my arm will be soar afterwards and I don't need one more thing zapping my energy these days.  Yes, I know how serious the flu is....I do know better.  But knowing and doing are two different things.

And there you have my confession.  An estate planning and probate attorney who neglected to get a flu shot.  Antibacterial hand wash is stashed in my car, my office, and my bag.  I am doing my best to minimize my chances of transmission.  And I pledge to be a bit more on the ball next flu season.  I'm human, and share this because so are millions more.  Made just a bit easier, I may have had a different outcome this year.

How about you -- flu shot, yes or no?  

When a Lawyer Goes Sledding....

January in Wisconsin translates to many things: snow plows, Packer Play-off hopes, golf courses transformed into cross-country ski wonderlands, and kids zooming down hills on sleds.  Of course, three of the four depend on there being lots of snow on the ground (okay, maybe the Packers' Play-off hopes depend on that too).  So when this past weekend we saw the forecast for the week ahead calling for temperatures in the low 40's combined with rain, we knew that Sunday must be a day for sledding.  We had not managed to get the kids out yet this year, and the hill would likely be turned into a expanse of slush and mud with the warm up.

Mission accomplished.  Adorable in their snow suits, hats, mittens and boots, our children squealed with delight as they zoomed down an icy hill into a field of fluffy flying snow.  "Again!" they shouted.  For a good hour we drudged up the hill, and then shot down like a rocket.  We were not alone on the hill, many families with young children joined us in this quintessential Midwestern winter fun.  Laughter rang in the air, but there were the occasional tears and shouts of "watch-out!".  And then there was me, a mother lawyer.

Mothers seem to have an innate ability to sense danger when it comes to our children.  Combine that with a lawyers training to foresee perils, and you can have a rather damp personality on a fun outing.  I did my best to keep my concerns at bay, but they bubbled up when I saw two children, around ages 8 and 6, barreling towards my 4 year old who sat on the sidelines, resting while waiting for us.  Thankfully another parent was close by, and hovered over my son, and pointed for the kids to steer away.  From this I offer several lessons for a happy afternoon on the sledding hill:

1. It does take a village.  If possible, keep an eye out for vulnerable ones and offer assistance if you can (thank you to the man who hovered over our son!);
2. Scan the environment -- where are the sled routes, where are the climbing and resting areas, are there any huge bumps, made of ice, that will generate a lot of "lift", etc.
3. Follow the rules -- sled down the established routes, and do your best to avoid the climbing and rest areas;
4. Instruct the little ones in your group to follow the rules.  Caught up in the fun, they may not be thinking about what would happen if they ran into a small child; and
5. Plan before you go.  Click here for more tips on keeping kids safe while sledding.

M. Gustafson Gervasi, 2013 -- note, he is not wearing a helmet....some kids were.  

So I am not the most worried parent on the snow hill!

Intervention, by Richard Russo

It is not uncommon to find out an attorney is also a self-declared book worm.  A love of reading is almost a requirement to get one through three years of law school.  And most of us emerge from those three years with an even stronger desire to read, but to read things that are not about the law.  That was my case, but I have since resigned to the fact that my area of focus, illness, death and taxes creeps into the arts more often than not.

Case in point, while visiting the library recently I spied a slim novella on a shelf written by Richard Russo.  His earlier work, Empire Falls is a favorite of mine, so without thinking I dropped it in our check out bag and headed home.  Intervention is a total of 67 pages, , I thought to myself, wonderful -- a story I can get through in no time!  That turned out to be true (I finished it in two days), but by page 12 or so it was clear that the undercurrent to this story was a cancer diagnosis.  Entertainment?  Kind of, but it also reminded me of the emotional journey many of my clients and or their loved ones are taking.  Sadly it seems people are given a terminal diagnosis of cancer, and one of their immediate next steps is to call an attorney for a will.  While I am honored to serve them in a time of need, it weighs on a person.  So I try and leave office matters at the office, but that does not work all the time.  As it did while reading this story. Thankfully the focus in on personalities, a family feud, the difficult housing market, and not the medical drama.

No matter your reading preference, I highly recommend this book.  In the span of 67  pages Russo gives amazing life and depth to his characters.  And if I am correct, it is over the span of 24 to 36 hours.  Engaging, compelling, entertaining, and insightful.  Take the time and read this novella -- you won't regret it.

Walk With a Doc - Madison, Wisconsin

Over the weekend I read a brief news story about a new program in Madison - walk with a doctor.  The concept is quite simple.  Take a nature walk, in a local park, with a doctor.  The idea promotes an active lifestyle, and gives physicians a chance to educate in a more relaxed environment.  Each walk has a topic as well, such as weight loss surgery.

As the parent of young children, I'd love to see some walks geared towards your nation's youth.  Let's think preventive medicine by getting kids interested in walks through the woods.  I try to do this on my own, but taking a 4 and 2 year old for a nature walk is.....well a bit stressful at times.  How can our medical profession makes this easier for me?  Might a future walk address this question?  Having something other than pricey procedures and the latest prescription would be refreshing.

I don't mean to be critical, but I am an attorney after all and that is my training.  I am thankful that the medical world is trying new things, outside the doctor's office.  One can know how to life a healthy lifestyle, but implementing in the chaos of normal life in a totally different skill.

Image credit:  www.sxc.hu - free image

Study: Loneliness a Predictor of Functional Decline and Death

Earlier this week a mass email was sent out to the members of Prairie UU, where my husband and I are members.  Often times the messages relate to a request for assistance with yard work while recovering from surgery, announcing a birth/marriage/death in a family, or spreading the word about a great movie playing in theaters.  This email contained a link to a NY Times article reviewing a recent study published in JAMA.

Researchers have shown that loneliness in people age 60 and older is a predictor of functional decline and death.  According to the study, chronic loneliness is connected to a host of health concerns (high blood pressure, coronary disease, etc.).  And interestingly, many of those who reported being lonely were married or living with someone; alone does not mean you are lonely.  For those seeking to age with grace or keeping a watchful eye on a elder in the family, this article is highly informative.  The bottom line I took from the article was to find ways to connect with other people.  Focus on medical measurements is important, but relationships, quality ones, play a very important role in our lives.  Don't neglect connections with others.

Image Credit:  www.sxc.hu - free image

So it seems perfect that this evening I will be joining a group of women for an annual evening out at American  Players Theater in Spring Green.  Annual traditions, good food, culture, the outdoors, and female friends -- its just what the doctor ordered (or should have).  Enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back Monday with more thought on illness, death and taxes for the middle class.

Care Support Teams: Include a Pet Sitter

Last week my mother entered the Emergency Room, and as is usually the case in her situation, she was admitted and has had a lengthy stay.  Widowed, she lives alone with her two cats, one of which is diabetic and requires shots twice a day.  My mother's emergency hospital stay unveiled a gap in our family's care support team....a quality pet sitter.  We now have one, and I urge you to give this some advance thought if you or a loved one has a pet, especially one with special needs.  What will happen to the pet in the event of an unexpected hospital stay?   Here are a few tips on locating someone to join your team; contact:

• a local rescue organization for names of pet sitters;
• local veterinary school or vet tech program;
• post a query on Facebook or other social media;
• send an email to a list serve through your place of worship; and
• post an ad on care.com.

Travel Checklist Addition

Planning a fall getaway?  This time of year many folks take a long weekend to enjoy fall colors or simply escape the routine of life before the snow flies and travel is more hazardous.  If so, one item you may want to add to your "packing list" is a copy of your most recent power of attorney for health care.  Having a hard copy or electronic version (check to make sure these are allowed under the law of the state where you live) can save hours if not more should you find yourself in the ER.  Without proper documents your traveling partner may have no legal right to make decisions for you, even if s/he is your spouse.

Image credit:  www.sxc.hu - free image

What I've Been Reading -- Confessions of a Surgeon

Over the long weekend I finished the book Confessions of a Surgeon: the good, the bad, and the complicated...life behind the OR doors by Paul A. Ruggieri, MD. 

It was a fantastic book!

Well written, honest, insightful, and a bit scary because it gives you a glimpse into the ORs of modern day America. I am very happy I read this AFTER having had two c-sections. I also found the book highly informative, and am now well armed with questions should I or a loved one need to hire a surgeon. For example, I want to know the surgeons complication rate for the procedure. If they respond "none" I now know they are a) lying to me to cover something up, or 2) have not done nearly enough of these to be a skilled surgeon. I certainly don't want to be their first complication. Through error wisdom is born.


The only negative thing about the book were a few parts where the author was recounting a conversation, often during surgery. To me the recount seemed more op-ed than the true form of an actual conversation. To the author's credit, I've read that conversation is one of the hardest things to write.


I highly recommend this book as it is both entertaining and informative!

Book Recommendation: The End of Illness

Being a bookworm and an attorney often go hand in hand.  Adolescents who love reading often take an academic path laden with words. That was me.  As a child books were my dearest possessions.  College, grad school and finally law school brought me endless texts to read.  Even though the years of tuition and exams have ended, my love of reading remains.

Something about the combination of my focus area (estate planning and probate), my parents poor health, and the fact I'm the parent of two young children results in many of the books on my bedside table being about health.  So when I read a short review of The End of Illness by David B. Agus, MD in my USC Alumni magazine, I requested a copy from the library.  Apparently many others had too because it was months before I got an email saying it was available.

Once I picked it up I couldn't put it town.  It offers serious science, public policy, and action points, making it one of the most powerful books I've ever read.  The topics are too numerous for me to cover in one post.  And the book so compelling, I purchased a copy for my collection.  I've been recommending it to everyone, including the women who cleaned my teeth last week.  Here are two of the major points I took from the book:

1. Evolution does not care about us much once we reach our 40s and beyond -- our child bearing years are behind us.  Rates of cancer and other age related illnesses increase steadily;
2. Health care reform begins with the individual; and
3. Prevention is key.  Once a disease settles in, management of it is likely the primary path you'll be on.

Evolution doesn't care about me once I'm in my 40s?  I'll be 39 this fall, and I have little kids.  Really little kids.  They will turn 4 and 2 later this summer.  Screw evolution, my kids need their Mama, and their Mama wants many, many years raising kids.  Prevention is the key -- that sounds reasonable.  Moreover, I can take action.  

With Agus' words echoing in my head I opted to bike to my office one day last week.  My last meeting of the night was short, and I found myself home earlier than expected.  Even though I had biked to work, I opted to take a short run as well before taking the parenting reins from my husband.   I've seen one too many probates in which a person younger than me has lost a battle with cancer.   Exercise may help me keep that battle at bay, and so I ran.

New Reality Show - Push Girls

TV, especially Reality TV, are not common in my life.  I prefer books, papers and blogs to the tube, but I did see an article (in the paper) about an interesting new show.  Push Girls, affiliated with the Sundance Channel is a 14 part series exploring the lives of several women who are paralyzed through injury or illness.  The series will follow them as the exercise, date, work, and perform other everyday tasks.  The article also states that in conjunction with the Reeve Foundation, it is working to fund raise for more research.

If you check it out, please comment and let me know if it is worth tracking down on netflixs!

It aired June 4th.

Planning for Incapacity

I always say that estate planning is three things, planning for illness, death and taxes.  Three things none of us will avoid.  When it comes to illness, or incapacity, I think the following documents are essential (if you live in Wisconsin):

• power of attorney for health care;
• living will;
• power of attorney for finance; and
• authorization for final disposition.

The power of attorney for health care empowers someone to speak for you when medical decisions need to be made and you are not able to respond.  A living will, also called a declaration to physicians, conveys your thoughts on end of life care to your medical team (i.e. if you are at the end of life, do you want a respirator).  The power of attorney for finance appoints someone to handle financial matters if you cannot.  Do no assume that an adult child or spouse can simply stand in for you.  They most likely cannot sign your taxes, talk with your employer about payment, handle matters related to insurance, and the list goes on.  The final form is one that says who is in charge of your burial, and allows you to note desires, such as cremation.  Remember, authority under the power of attorney ends the moment you die.  Nothing is re-established until a will is filed, which might be weeks.  This last form fills in the gap, and oversees your burial.

No, these are not cheery matters to address.  But they are critical.  You never know when another driver will cross the center line and put your world into free fall.  It happened to a relative of mine last week.  Take charge, take control, put things in place now instead of waiting for chaos to hit.

National Stroke Awareness Month

We are ending the week with a short pop quiz here at Illness, Death and Taxes for the Middle Class.  Here you go!

Question Number One -- When is National Stroke Awareness Month?

1. January
2. May
3. December

• Answer - May

Question Number Two -- What is the leading cause of long-term disability for adults in the US?

1. Cancer
2. Auto accidents
3. Stroke

• Answer - Stroke

Question Number Two -- What is the nation's 3rd leading killer in the US?

1. Drug overdose
2. Cancer
3. Stroke

• Answer - Stroke

Learn more about how to recognize and prevent strokes at my hospital's web site.  Thanks to the Outreach Team at Meriter for sharing this vital information.  Awareness is key to a vibrant future.

Image credit: www.sxc.hu - free image

What I've Been Reading: The Medical Bill Survival Guide

Under 100 pages, The Medical Bill Survival Guide: easy, effective strategies for people experiencing financial hardship by Nicholas Newsad is a concise and easy read.  Divided into seven sections, it addresses:

• things to know if you have insurance;
• things to know if you don't have insurance;
• getting oranized;
• how to talk to billers;
• and other issues.

Highlights I found were a clear overview of what it is and how to read an EOB (explanation of benefits) as well as hints on speaking with billers.  Things that seem to be missing are the roles of powers of attorney (finance and or health care).  Often the patient is not the one calling an insurance company; without proper paperwork HIPAA will prevent anyone else from discussing billing issues.  Also, given the historic changes to health care laws in 2011, I wonder what new federal laws would be important.  An updated version would be idea; this book was published in 2010.