Blawg of Attorney Christine M Bechtold

There are some times in our lives when we are too ill to make decisions about our own healthcare. These times can range from going into simple surgery to end of life care. A living will, or advance directive for health care (ADHC), is a legal document that you set-up before you are too ill to make your own decisions. It allows you to set-up guidelines for your healthcare and how you would like these decisions to be made for you when you can't make them yourself. "You have the right to control all aspects of your personal care and medical treatment, including the right to insist upon medical treatment or direct that medical treatment be withheld or withdrawn. If you cannot (or do not want to) communicate your health care decisions for yourself, you have the right to choose someone to make health care decisions for you. You also have the right to state your treatment preferences if you have a terminal condition or are in a state of permanent unconsciousness.The Georgia Advance

Dealing with your ex-spouse about visitation with your child can be especially difficult during the holidays. It is important to communicate with your ex about the plan for visitation in advance. The sooner you communicate and work out a schedule, the better. In most cases, you will have a Parenting Plan or Visitation Agreement regarding visitation with your child. This Plan will include a schedule for how to manage visitation for the holidays. If you do not have this schedule already written, or if either of you want to change it, you will both need to work out a new plan. It is important to be clear about where your child will be during the holidays and who is responsible for transporting your child to and from the visitation.     If your child is age appropriate, you should also make the schedule clear to your child well in advance. Communication is the key to a smooth holiday visitation.