It won't happen to me. I'm too busy to worry about a living will. My family will know what to do. No one wants to plan for death or incapacitating illness. But, as the emotional legal battle in the Terri Schiavo case made all too clear, people of all ages need to document and communicate clear decisions about the final details of their lives while they are healthy and have time to fully consider their own values and preferences. Here, Drs. David Doukas and William Reichel help individuals make decisions and communicate their wishes to health care providers and family members and other loved ones. Drs. Doukas and Reichel use a question-and-answer format to guide readers through the process—emphasizing the crucial connection between values and treatment preferences. They explain advance directives and the health care decision-making process, including the values history, family covenants, proxies, and proxy negation. The appendix includes resources and Web links for learning about advance directive requirements and obtaining legal forms in all fifty states. This practical guide helps people navigate the important but often intimidating process of thinking about, and planning for, an uncertain future.

Few Americans have prepared advance directives for end-of-life care because they don't realize how inexpensive and simple it is to document their wishes and preserve family harmony. Last things first tells the medical and legal story of advance directives, why it is important to document wishes for end-of-life care and how easy it is to create this simple--yet vital--record of your values and wishes for care.

Attorney-written legal forms, with easy-to-understand instructions, to protect yourself and loved ones in case of serious or terminal illness.Includes two sets of Living Wills, each with an advance directive to physician and medical power of attorney.The first Living Will is suitable for most persons. The second Living Will is suitable if you have family members who might object to your medical decisions and end-of-life choices.The book includes:1. a detailed Pain Management Plan, which is suitable for persons whose doctors may not provide necessary drugs to end pain, anguish, and/or agitation during a serious or terminal illness; and,2. Final Instructions and Directives, with practical and comprehensive instructions and directives to leave for your loved ones in case of your serious illness or death.

Create a living will and more with all the forms and information California families need. Living Wills & Powers of Attorney for California helps families avoid legal problems if they ever become unable to make health care or financial decisions for themselves. Step by step, it takes readers through the creation of a: . Living Will (known as an "Advance Health Care Directive") . Durable Power of Attorney for Finance . Do Not Resuscitate Order You'll also get a wallet card you can use to alert others to the existence of your advance directive, plus forms you can use if you ever want to revise or revoke a document. The fully updated 3rd edition of Living Wills & Powers of Attorney for California offers all-new material to walk you through the intricacies of planning final arrangements, along with expanded information on making difficult medical choices. Plus, your pets will be able to get the care they need in an emergency with the updated durable financial power of attorney. Nolo has dozens of products created just for California residents. -- Download forms for book at nolo.com

This book helps Californians, and their families avoid problems if they ever become unable to make health care or financial decisions for themselves. It contains forms and instructions for completing these documents: California Adbance Health Care Directive-Do Not Resuscitate Order-California Durable Power of Attorney for Finances. All forms available as tear-outs and on CDROM.