By: Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M. – President and Principal Attorney of Elville and Associates, P.C.
Over the past several days many people have asked “what is important right now regarding estate planning/elder law and the coronavirus?” Although there are many responses to this question, and I am releasing a new article on this subject in the next few days, my first reaction is always “incapacity planning.” Going further, because there are several aspects of incapacity planning, let me be clearer and share my second reaction which is always “healthcare, health care decision making, and the advance medical directive.” I’ll also add MOLST (the Medical Order For Life-Sustaining Treatment” to this list as a third reaction. At this time of health care crisis, perhaps the most important and practical thing any person can do is to ensure that they have an advance medical directive and an understanding of MOLST (some states call this POLST). An advance medical directive may be easily implemented in writing, orally, or in electronic form, and there is no requirement that it be notarized. Access to information is easy and straightforward – for a comprehensive overview of Maryland Advance Medical Directives, alternative forms, health care decision making policy in Maryland, and MOLST, please follow these links:
https://mhcc.maryland.gov/mhcc/pages/hit/hit_advancedirectives/hit_advancedirectives.aspx
https://mhcc.maryland.gov/consumerinfo/longtermcare/AdvanceDirectiveInformation.aspx
http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/HealthPolicy/AdvanceDirectives.aspx
Are you taking the time to think about this issue?
Stephen R. Elville is the principal and lead attorney of Elville & Associates, P.C., a leading estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning law firm in Maryland. Elville and Associates engages clients in a multi-step educational process to ensure that estate, elder law, and special needs planning works from inception, throughout lifetime, and at death. Clients are encouraged to take advantage of the Planning Team Concept for leading-edge, customized planning. The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the practical mission of Elville and Associates. If you would like to set an appointment with Mr. Elville to discuss estate or elder law planning issues, you may contact him at 443-393-7696, or via email at steve@elvilleassociates.com. #elvilleeducation