Karen Ball, Attorney at Law

A good friend shared this “Document Tracking” sheet that you are welcome to download and use.  It’s a simple list of documents.  It’s not alphabetized, but seems to have most everything you should keep track of listed.  This is information that would be helpful for  someone to have who needed to assist you with your business and/or personal affairs, or use after your death.  It should also help you keep organized.

It should be reviewed periodically (every year or so) to make sure the information is still accurate. (more…)

Both of these documents are referred to as “Advanced Directives”.  They provide legal documentation and structure through which you can advise the medical community, and  others, of your wishes – IN ADVANCE of either moving into a terminal condition (Living Will) or when you are unable to speak for yourself (Medical Power of Attorney).

A Living Will is a document that tells your doctor who to notify if you are determined to be in a terminal condition and they are ready to take you off of life support, per your written instructions to them. (more…)

Starting Sept. 8th, 2008, Ohio became one of the first states to offer a special program for identifying next of kin.  The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (“OBMV”) allows you to identify two people as “Next of Kin” or “Emergency Contacts”.

There is an On-Line application which allows you to “enroll” up to two people and the OBMV will keep track of the information you provide.  Then, in the case of an accident, they will have someone to notify. (more…)