dmimi@uncecs.edu (Mimi Clifford) (03/22/90)
Index Number: 7226 Two comments about these documents. Several states have different, very specific requirements for living wills. So one needs to check on what the situtation is in the individual state. Such a document may or may not be observed at the time of crisis, but at least the individual's intent is known. The other aspect of the living will, is that, if a state does have specific requirements for what must be in one, executing some other form may invalidate the 'good' one. My lawyer son pointed out to me that a durable power of attorney was a very dangerous document that gives the holder TOTAL power over all aspects of a person and his belongings. That's probably OK where total trust exists and continues to exist, but strange things happen to relationships. I have seen a limited power of attorney document where the power is only over medical decisions in certain situations. Said son liked that better but was still somewhat doubtful. The Hemlock Society, POBox 66218, Los Angeles, CA 90066, is much involved in this area. I'm not sure that's a current address, but they definitely still exist.