Law Office of George H. Sperry Jr., ESQ., CPA - Licensed in North and South Carolina

The primary focus of Estate Planning is to provide comfort that in the worst of circumstances the wishes of an individual will be carried out.  There are four primary documents to make sure things happen as desired.  First is the 'Durable Power of Attorney' which gives authority to another person to act on behalf of the Principal. Second is the 'Health Care Power of Attorney', or 'Health Care Proxy', which gives authority to another person to make health care decisions on behalf of the Principal if they do not have the capacity to make the decisions for themselves.  Next is the 'Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death' which provides that if the Principal should be in a persistent vegetative state or is terminal and incurable, that life sustaining procedures should be withheld.  Finally, the Will which disposes of the Principal's assets upon death.  It can also suggest custodians for minor children.