How to Responsibly Manage Your (Legal & Medical) Affairs

Every adult should take it upon himself to be responsible about his affairs; and that includes learning what is required and legal in his specific state of residence and following through with all necessary documentation. For anyone who does not already know this, each state has its own laws governing such documentation and how it must be implemented, so it is important for the individual to acquire this information.

As a general rule, the following are relevant to most adults, and should be checked into on the basis of one's personal situation:

In brief, the Last Will and Testament is something which most people are at least vaguely familiar with, but fewer are knowledgeable about each state's specific requirements. A hand-written Will, for example, is not recognized as legally valid in some states. Drawing up one's Will is best done with the assistance of an attorney, as well as updating a Will when necessary due to changes in one's state of residence, marriage or divorce, or having children. When preparing to draft a Will, one should put careful consideration into the choice of Executor.

Organ Donation is a topic which is sometimes misunderstood, regarding each state's specific laws covering the procedures by which one's wishes are to be carried out. Simply filling out a card and having it in your wallet is not enough; it is necessary to also discuss the matter with your family and next-of-kin to ensure that your wishes will be honored.

It is important to note that whatever "last requests" you may have, not be considered a part of your Will, because a Will is generally not read until a later point in time. It is a good idea to document your last requests separately, and also furnish this information to your family members. There have been many instances where people have made the mistake of including their wishes and preferences for memorial services, disposition of remains, etc., in their Last Will and Testament, resulting in it being too late for these requests to be carried out.