business suite

Have you ever stopped to consider what would happen if you were in a serious automobile accident? What if you were a victim of a violent crime? What if you survived, but had a long road of recovery ahead of you? Do you know who would be in the best position to see to it that your bills were paid?

Or, on the other hand, what if you ended up in a coma, do you know who would be in the best position to make life and death decisions about your treatment?

What if you passed away? Would your property be distributed as you wished?

Many of us do not like being told how to manage any aspect of our lives. And yet, incredibly, I find that many individuals have not taken the necessary legal steps to ensure that their wishes will be respected when critical decisions must be made about their their treatment, financial affairs, or the division of their property.

Even in the absence of legal documents outlining such wishes, many people assume that someone close to them can be trusted to make these decisions. Perhaps this is the case. But why risk it? The situation is already fraught with emotion; thus, why add to it? And, why run the risk of having differing opinions from family members and loved ones? What if, in actuality, the law dictated a different outcome?

As much as we would like, we simply cannot control everything that happens around us. So, let’s control what we can. Take the initiative and empower yourself to make these decisions about your health and property ahead of time. I believe you will find it is not the nerve-racking or time-consuming process that many people think it is. Make sure that you have: (1) a Last Will and Testament, (2) Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care and (3) a Power of Attorney for Finances.

I focus my practice on the areas of estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and probate and estate administration.

For more information, please visit www.stanleylawoffice.com or contact me at

(404) 386-9950 or at paige@stanleylawoffice.com for a risk-free consultation.

- Paige Arden Stanley