Any person over the age of 18 should have these three documents.

1. Will: Needed to control distribution of property, nominates legal guardians of minor children, provides trust provisions to facilitate distributes to beneficiaries, names a personal representative or executor to administer the estate and establishes distribution guidelines in the event of long term care needs.

2. Power of Attorney: A document which allows you to name another person to make certain financial and medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. This is very important since HIPAA’s intention of protecting each indivitual’s privacy.

3. Living Will: A document that specifies an individuals particular wishes with regards to the type and extent of life sustaining measures to be utilized if he/she is in terminal condition or in permanent state of unconsciousness.