Total Life Choices (TLC) provides free legal services to promote and protect the dignity of each individual. TLC attorneys and volunteers empower individuals in articulating and documenting crucial lifetime, incapacity, and end-of-life choices through education and legal planning. TLC counsels families on complex court procedures for probate, administration and guardianship.
NY Times explores quality of life and end of life issues that need to be addressed at life’s end.
Comprehensive article summarizing the Family Health Care Decisions Act and emphasizing that the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out is to complete health care Advance Directives.
Mayo Clinic’s Ten Organ Donation Myths
A detailed account of the Terry Schiavo case used to explore potential consequences when no Health Care Proxy has been completed.
Last Will and Testament, Power of Attorney, and Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains Presentations
TLC offers presentations to inform and educate individuals about relevant legal planning tools available to them. Many people believe that they do not need these documents because they do not have enough assets, or because they think their families will have automatic control or they do not understand the purpose of these documents. However, each individual needs to take control of their planning in order to ensure that their decisions and directions will be carried out upon possible incapacity or upon passing.
These presentations are only available to community groups of qualified low income New Yorkers.
Topics covered in this presentation include:
What is it?
Why is it important? An overview of the laws of intestacy and what happens to your assets if you do not have a Last Will.
How do I obtain a Last Will?
Importance of seeking the assistance of an attorney
Requirements of proper execution
Contents of the Last Will – what can be given away by the Last Will? Who should be responsible for the distribution?
Estate Procedures – how the Last Will is used after your passing
What passes outside of a Last Will?
Ethical Wills – what they are and how to use them
What is a General Durable Power of Attorney?
Powers granted to the Agent
Restrictions
Revocation
How it this different from a Last Will and Testament?
What is an Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains?
What types of instructions can be included in this document?
Intake through NYLAG general line
Phone consultation and office visit to sign documents
Complimentary informational materials will be provided that described the legal planning tools reviewed in the presentation and to assist participants in determining which tool(s) may be appropriate for them.
Please note that presentations on Last Wills and Testaments, Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains do not include a workshop portion, as these legal documents require further consultation and time to properly complete.
Health Care Advance Directives
Advance Legal Planning
Court Proceedings
Total Life Choices provides free legal education seminars and trainings on legal planning to community groups and medical and social service professionals. To schedule a TLC presentation, contact Tina Janssen-Spinosa, Esq. at (212) 613-5062 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)