As an Elder Law Attorney, I write a regular blog for my clients on subjects they ought to know about, or on topics they would find “of interest.” I was inspired by one of my current clients to write this…
Some dementia diagnoses and certain chemotherapy side-affects for cancer patients are being treated more often with what are defined as “intrusive mental health treatments” in Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. § 145C.05, subd. 2(a)(6))– here’s the link to this Minnesota Statute….
There’s a difference between “organ donation” and “anatomical bequest.” Many people choose to donate organs upon their death – healthy parts of their bodies that may be transplanted upon their death into someone else to assist that individual in recovering…
Cara’s dad assigned her authority to help him with his finances and health care decisions when he made Cara his agent with a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive. His health has declined over the last few years, and…
On May 6, 2015, Gov. Dayton signed the Minnesota Right to Try Act into law, allowing terminally ill patients the right to apply for the use of drugs and devices not yet approved (not fully, anyway) by the FDA. See…
I downloaded the ABA’s (Commission on Law and Aging) App at the request of a friend of mine who wanted to try it. I thought it might be a useful tool for my clients, and I submit my review of…
This entry applies especially to “agent” selections for Powers of Attorney (POA) and for Health Care Directives (HCD). But, the same discussion may also be of interest to those thinking about selecting a Personal Representative for their Will. When you…
I’m going to offer a scenario that may help you understand, through the eyes of the Elder Law Attorney, why it’s important to identify who the client is and why it might be more complicated than you may think: You…
What is a POLST? A POLST is a Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment. In other states, it may be known as MOLST, MOST, or POST, but in Minnesota, we use “POLST.” The POLST form has 3 major sections for…
If you want to avoid unwanted medical treatment at the end-of-life, make sure you: execute a Health Care Directive (HCD), the one legal document that can help you get what you want and avoid what you don’t want; talk to…