@colleenyoung We need to be careful regarding recommending online resources for legal documents. A lot of the documents available for purchase online are not reliable (despite their advertisements). The better option, if people don't want to consult an attorney, is to check on the State Bar website for the state where they reside and get guidelines that are in compliance with the state's requirements. As I worked in a law office for a number of years, I understand how folks can be surprised when they find the online docs might not be legally appropriate. This is especially true for medical powers of attorney (also called patient advocate forms). Each state differs in the laws regarding medical decisions. Also, financial powers of attorney are different from state to state and some financial institutions do not accept just any document. Better to be spend a little money and get the correct document. The State Bar of Michigan has a website with legally acceptable documents for Michigan residents, but I don't know if this is true for every state.

Such a wise caution Teresa. My intent was to find resources that would guide people how to prepare for talking about their will and advance directives with family as well as with an attorney. I'm glad that you raise the issue of the acceptance of documents, and the differences from state to state, and from country to country.

On another note, I found this article about research that was done at Stanford showing that more people are preparing advance directives over the past decade http://aging.stanford.edu/2014/04/advance-directives-popular-last-decade/

Great Advice Teresa!! Saving money is always on our minds as we try to get through all the medical expenses: however, our
attorney (state of Michigan also) has helped us from the time my husband got sick with the documents I need to carry on when
he cannot perform those duties with me Getting good advice from your personal attorney or if you cannot afford an attorney, there
are ways to get some free help from various senior groups in your area. If you have the time to do the research, that would be
the best way to take care of all your needs for the future. We just do NOT want to face the future, especially when we know what
is waiting at the other end, but my husband and I have talked about how to go forward together and that really helps. Now that
we are in a state of not really knowing what is going on from day to day, I have the ability to take care of our needs. Each couple
is different, but at least we are doing the best we can for our loved ones and their care.
Ozys, caretaker