Legal Planning

Providing clear legal direction regarding your healthcare wishes helps avoid confusion and emotional conflicts for family, should you become unable to communicate your wishes. Having a plan in place to manage your financial situation in the event of your temporary or permanent incapacity allows for a greater degree of control, independence and choice in the future.

What can you do?

1. Communicate your healthcare wishes to family and healthcare providers
   
   
2. Explore Advance Directives options
   
   
3. Seek information on financial management options in the event of incapacity
   
   
4. Consult an attorney

Other Resources:

• For more information on advance directives, to obtain copies of Nebraska Advance Directive forms or to request a free Respect My Wishes kit, visit the Grand Island Coalition for End-of-Life Care’s website at www.respectmywishes.org
  
  
• Download a copy of Nebraska’s Advance Directive forms at www.hhss.ne.gov/ags/advdir.htm or call the Nebraska State Unit on Aging at 800-942-7830 for more information
  
  
• For legal assistance for persons 65 years of age or older, contact the Nebraska Legal Services’ ElderAccess Line at 800-527-7249 or www.nebls.com/ElderAccessLine.htm
  
  
• For legal assistance for persons who meet specific income requirements, contact the Nebraska Legal Services’ Access Line at 877-250-2016 or www.nebls.com/for_legal_help.htm or contact the Nebraska State Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project or Referral Program at 800-742-3005 or www.nebar.com/publicinfo/lowincome/vlp/index.htm
  
  
• To locate an attorney in your community, visit www.lawyers.com

Begin planning today for your future long-term care needs by ordering your FREE Own Your Future Tool Kit created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services visit http://www.aoa.gov/ownyourfuture or call 1-866-PLAN-LTC.