Legal Resources For Seniors

University of Alabama Law School Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/powers.html External

Gives information about powers of attorney and living trusts.

Disability: Maintaining Control by Planning Ahead
University of Alabama Law School Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/powers.html External

Gives information about powers of attorney and living trusts.

Draw Up Powers of Attorney
United States Department of State
www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc External

Explains the two types of power of attorney and includes a power of attorney check list.

Guardianships and Conservatorships
University of Alabama Law School Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/guardian.html External

Provides a short introduction to guardianships and conservatorships.

Instructions and Sample Forms for Individuals Seeking Guardianship without an Attorney
The City University of New York School of Law—Elder Law Clinic
https://www.law.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/page-assets/academics/clinics/elder/Becoming-A-Guardian-Without-A-Lawyer.pdf External

Instructional packet created to assist individuals, who cannot afford an attorney, with guardianship proceedings. Includes links to resources and forms.

Legal Battles over Parental Guardianship
National Public Radio
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5697280?storyId=5697280 External

Explores legal battles over parental guardianship from the perspective of legal, historical, and personal stories.

Managing Someone Else’s Money
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managing-someone-elses-money/#power-of-attorney External

Guides introduce the concepts of power of attorney, court-appointed guardianship, trustees, and government fiduciaries. State-specific guides are also available. Download as a PDF or order print copies online for free.

National Guardianship Association, Inc.
www.guardianship.org External

Features information on rights that may be affected by guardianship, alternatives to guardianship, education, and resources on how to find a guardian.

Navigating Power of Attorney: How to Help Loved Ones Manage Their Money
USA.gov
www.usa.gov/features/navigating-power-of-attorney-how-to-help-loved-ones-manage-their-money External

Gives basic information on power of attorney.

Advance Health Care Directives
University of Alabama Law School Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/advance.html External

Download Your State’s Advance Directives
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289 External

Provides links to advance directives in PDF format by state. Also includes glossary of terms and information on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).

Getting Your Affairs in Order
National Institute on Aging
www.nia.nih.gov/health/getting-your-affairs-order External

Offers guide to getting your papers and affairs in order.

Law for Seniors
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education
www.lawforseniors.org External

Focuses on federal and nationwide nonprofit programs for seniors. Topics include health care, consumer scams, losing a spouse or parent, finding senior care, elder abuse, and assistance with utilities, water bills, food, and other resources. Provides a message board where seniors nationwide can ask questions of legal experts.

MedlinePlus: Advance Directives
U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://medlineplus.gov/advancedirectives.html External

Summarizes advanced care directives for people with disabilities and seniors. Provides links to state-by-state downloadable forms to complete an advance care directive and a glossary of legal and medical terms.

Wills, Trusts, and Joint Accounts
University of Alabama Law School Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.law.ua.edu/elderlaw/wills.html External

Introduces the concepts of wills, trusts, and joint accounts. Includes information on relative costs, living trusts, and estate taxes.