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The website www.willsforvets.com  is dedicated to assisting U.S. veterans in their estate planning.   Each member of their team has agreed to provide, on a pro-bono basis, "basic" estate planning documents to any U.S. veteran upon request. There is also a Questions & Answers page on the site to answer any questions you may have regarding the below estate planning documents, the information needed to prepare them on your behalf, and the protections they provide your family and you. The legal services are provided in appreciation of each veteran´s service to our country and protection of our democracy.  To obtain assistance it is necessary to complete their online form at www.willsforvets.com/Contact_Us.html with your basic contact data and a brief description of the assistance you are looking for.  You should receive a response within 7 workdays identifying a pro-bono attorney who will help you. There is no income level prerequisite but the services are designed for vets just getting by in today´s environment or scheduled to be deployed. The documents you should have on hand to ensure proper handling of your estate are:

o    Last Will & Testament:  Written document that sets forth the manner in which you want your assets to pass to your heirs (spouse, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.) upon death.  The document appoints the individual(s) whom you desire to administer (pay your creditors, file final tax return, distribute your assets to your beneficiaries) your estate Without the document, your state of residence will statutorily determine to whom your assets will pass and who will serve as the administrator (personal representative, executor) of your estate.

o    Power of Attorney:  Written instructions in which you designate another individual (the "agent") to make financial decisions on your behalf. The document is typically utilized in the event that you: (i) are rendered incapable of making your own financial decisions; (ii) are unavailable; or (iii) require assistance. The powers granted to the agent may be limited to a particular activity (real estate transaction) or be overly broad (cover everything). The agents powers may: (i) take effect immediately or upon the occurrence of a future event (springing power); and (ii) be temporary or permanent authority to act on your behalf. 

o    Health Care Directive:  Written instructions that set forth what actions should be taken for your health in the event you are unable to make health care decisions on your own behalf (due to illness or incapacity). The document appoints the individual ("health care surrogate") to make all necessary medical decisions in the event you are unable to express your preferences.    

o    Living Will:  Written instructions which allow you to determine how you want to be treated in certain medical conditions (given life-sustaining treatments in the event you are terminally ill or injured or provided food and water via intravenous devices). The document may also appoint an individual to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. "Life-sustaining treatment" means the use of available medical machinery and techniques, such as heart-lung machines, ventilators, and other medical equipment and techniques that will sustain and possibly extend your life, but which will not by themselves cure your condition. In addition to terminal illness or injury situations, most states permit you to express your preferences as to treatment using life-sustaining equipment and/or tube feeding for medical conditions that leave you permanently unconscious and without detectable brain activity.   
[Source:  Marc J. Soss www.willsforvets.com Jan 09 ++]