Legal Papers At-A-Glance

Advance directives

• A living will lets people know what kind of medical care you want if you are unable to speak for yourself.
• A durable power of attorney for health care names a person to make medical decisions for you if you can't make them yourself. This person is called a health care proxy.

Other legal papers that are not part of the advance directives

• A will tells how you want to divide your money and property among your heirs. (Heirs are usually the family members who survive you. You may also name other people as heirs in your will.)
• Power of attorney appoints a person to make financial decisions for you when you can't make them yourself.

Note: You do not always need a lawyer present to fill out these papers. But you may need a notary public. Each state has its own laws about advance directives. Check with your lawyer or social worker about the laws in your state.