[wagglebee]

I have an advance medical directive and medical power of attorney, they are both very specific about what I want and who is allowed to speak for me. I specifically removed my wife from having any authority to make decisions because I don't want to put her in that position. My brother is an attorney who specializes in estate planning and elder law, my wife (who is also an attorney) and I both went over every conceivable scenario with him, that way there is no confusion as to our wishes. People go out and buy forms everyday for all sorts of legal matters and usually wind up in a bigger mess than if they had done nothing, medical matters are no different.

[Mygirlsmom]

Thanks for the info. My hubby and I need to get on this asap.

We know we've been remiss, but this brings it all to the forefront now. Add to that that his oldest brother (who has left the U.S. and is now a Canadian citizen) is a professor of ethics who has been to the Netherlands to study euthanasia. His parents are easily influenced people who lean left, and are in awe of their "brilliant" son and his work. We both agree that we don't want anyone from his family to have ANY say in any of the affairs of our family - period.

We just received an email sent from the owner of my hubby's place of employment about the importance of living wills, and that one could be downloaded from the WI DHFS. I realize this article is about California, but I sent it along to the guys at his work as I have not yet had a chance to review what the situation is with Wisconsin law.

[Mark in the Old South]

It just occurred to me there is a problem with your suggestion about living wills and the need to stay away from standardized forms. You do realize many people can not afford legal representation and must rely on such forms or free legal aide (leftist in orientation and rarely quality). It seems we are becoming a nation that only values the very rich and the rest are expendable. If the courts were doing their job they would presume life unless spelled out otherwise. This would protect those with prolife values, the poor, and even the young and irresponsible. But that was when we had a real country with real respect for others and real law and real judges. That country is gone and you need not expect to see them respect your wishes. In our life times we have seen this living will notion slip from its moorings. What makes you think they have stopped moving the bar?