Helpful guides and resources

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Planning ahead is for adults of any age. This short guide explains the main documents and why people use them.

• End-of-Life Planning: A Guide to Advance Directives, Living Wills, and More

  Source: Healthline | https://www.healthline.com/health/end-of-life-planning

Advance health care directive

This document names a person to make health care decisions for you if you can't. It used to be called a durable power of attorney for health care.

• Your Guide to Choosing a Health Care Proxy

  Source: The Conversation Project | https://theconversationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ChooseAProxyGuide.pdf

• Your Right to Make Decisions About Medical Treatment

  Source: California Department of Social Services | https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Forms/English/pub325.pdf

• Plan for Disability or End of Life Decisions

  Source: LA Law Library | On-demand video | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/hidden-classes/1897-on-demand-don-t-wait-plan-for-disability-or-end-of-life-decisions

• Coalition for Compassionate Care of California: Advance Directive FAQs

  Source: Coalition for Compassionate Care of California | https://coalitionccc.org/CCCC/Resources/Advance-Directive-FAQs.aspx

• Myths and Facts About Health Care Advance Directives

  Source: American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging | https://bcan.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ABA-Myths-and-facts-about-Advance-Directives.pdf

• UCLA Library Guide for California Medical Decision Making

  Source: UCLA Law Library | https://libguides.law.ucla.edu/advancedirectives

• California Secretary of State Advance Health Care Directive Registry

  Source: California Secretary of State | Optional registry with fee | https://www.sos.ca.gov/registries/advance-health-care-directive-registry

Wills

A will is one tool for explaining what should happen to your property after death. Wills and trusts are related tools, so it can be helpful to understand both before deciding how to proceed.

• How to Make a Will in California

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-make-will-32181.html

• Living Trust vs. Will

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/living-trust-v-will.html

• Wills, Estates, and Probate

  Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide | https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/wills-estates-probate

• California Probate Law: Why Do I Need a Will?

  Source: FindLaw | May offer paid services that are not required | https://corporate.findlaw.com/law-library/california-probate-law-why-do-i-need-a-will.html

• Probate General Information

  Source: Sacramento County Public Law Library | https://saclaw.org/legal_topic/dealing-with-another-persons-estate-after-they-die/

• Ask a Lawyer: Property Transfers After Death

  Source: LA Law Library | Sign-up required | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/ask-a-lawyer

• Wills and Trusts: Where You Begin

  Source: LA Law Library | On-demand video | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/hidden-classes/1548-wills-trusts-where-you-begin

Trusts

A trust is another planning tool that may affect how property is managed and transferred. Your law librarian can help you understand how real estate ownership affects your plan and the difference between a will and a trust.

• Living Trust vs. Will

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/living-trust-v-will.html

• How to Create a Living Trust in California

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-make-a-living-trust-32153.html

• Revocable Living Trusts

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/revocable-living-trusts.html

• What Is a Pour-Over Will with a Living Trust?

  Source: FreeWill | https://www.freewill.com/learn/what-is-a-pour-over-will-with-a-living-trust

• Pour-Over Wills

  Source: Nolo | May offer referrals to private attorneys with fee services that are not required | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/pour-over-wills.html

• Probate General Information

  Source: Sacramento County Public Law Library | https://saclaw.org/legal_topic/dealing-with-another-persons-estate-after-they-die/

• Ask a Lawyer: Property Transfers After Death

  Source: LA Law Library | Sign-up required | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/ask-a-lawyer

• Wills and Trusts: Where You Begin

  Source: LA Law Library | On-demand video | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/hidden-classes/1548-wills-trusts-where-you-begin

Planning for children under 18

These guides help you think about who could care for your children if you couldn't. For advice about your own family, talk with the lawyer.

• Naming a Guardian for Your Child

  Source: EstatePlanning.com | May offer referrals or paid services that are not required | https://www.estateplanning.com/naming-a-guardian-for-your-child

• Choosing a Guardian for Your Child: A Comprehensive Guide

  Source: The Legal Guide | https://thelegalguide.org/choosing-guardian-your-child/

• How to Name a Legal Guardian for Your Children: Important Steps

  Source: Juris Opinio | https://jurisopinio.com/how-to-name-a-legal-guardian-for-your-children/

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney lets you authorize someone you trust to manage your finances or property on your behalf if you are unable to manage them yourself while you are still alive.

• Power of Attorney FAQ

  Source: Superior Court of California, County of Orange | https://www.occourts.org/self-help/self-help-probate/medical-financial-end-life/power-attorney

• Power of Attorney: Authorize Someone to Act on Your Behalf

  Source: Sacramento County Public Law Library | https://saclaw.org/resource_library/power-of-attorney/

• California Power of Attorney Laws

  Source: Nolo | https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-power-of-attorney-laws.html

• Options to Help Someone with an Impairment or Disability

  Source: California Courts Self-Help Guide | https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/options-help-someone-impairment-or-disability

• California Probate Conservatorships and Alternatives

  Source: LA Law Library | On-demand video | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/hidden-classes/2197-on-demand-california-probate-conservatorships-alternatives

Psychiatric advance directives

These are like health care directives, but for mental health care. The guides here explain what they cover. Your law librarian can help with follow-up questions.

• Psychiatric Advance Directives: California Questions and Answers

  Source: National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives | https://nrc-pad.org/states/california-faq/

• Psychiatric Advance Directives

  Source: California Behavioral Health Planning Council / CALBHB/C | https://www.calbhbc.org/pad.html

• Psychiatric Advance Directive

  Source: NAMI Santa Clara County | https://namisantaclara.org/resources-2/psychiatric-advanced-directive/

• A Practical Guide to Psychiatric Advance Directives

  Source: SAMHSA | https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/practical-guide-psychiatric-advance-directives.pdf

• Treatment During a Mental Health Crisis: You Have Choices

  Source: LA Law Library | On-demand video | https://www.lalawlibrary.org/hidden-classes/2091-on-demand-treatment-during-a-mental-health-crisis-you-have-choices

• SAMHSA Webinar on Psychiatric Advance Directives

  Source: SAMHSA | Webinar recording | https://youtu.be/AaQLJbj7kTs?si=Kary1K-11zO5ALe5