Originally Posted by travel

I strongly encourage everyone, regardless of age, health, financial or domestic status, to address your estate planning needs.
Should you become incapacitated or pass away without the proper documents executed and in place, the laws of the state will prevail, regardless of your intentions. As state laws change so frequently, and none of us know when we might be in this situation, you need to update these documents on a regular basis. I am not an attorney, but as a Certified Financial Planner who has provided financial education seminars for over 30 years, one of the first questions I would ask is whether or not a client had a valid will (and estate plan) before they proceeded any further with financial planning. Too many people focus on managing their money and overlook the consequences of not planning their estate. ESTATE PLANNING IS NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY - it's for you and your loved ones, regardless of your situation. This is even more important for those in non-traditional relationships, which is so sadly exemplified in the article about Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Below is a link to the Florida Bar Association website, with a listing of consumer brochures you can print. Please take a moment to read the publications on wills and estates.
http://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBCon...a?OpenDocument
I would suggest that you provide your physician as well as your designated surrogate with a copy of your health proxy and living will. Carry a copy with you when you travel, and if you are admitted to a hospital, be sure there is a copy in your file along with your health proxy's contact information.
If you have children/grandchildren who are over 18 going off to college, they, too, should have a health proxy with their important papers. You can never be too prepared!

PS - Cassie, you are 100% right about Ronda