Estate Issues
Our Legal Resources page is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer. This website does not give legal advice and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer.
Contact usAdvance Health Care Directives
An advance directive (also known as a “living will”) is a legal document. It tells your doctor and family what kind of medical care you want to have if you cannot tell them yourself.
Follow these links for information about Advance Health Care Directives:
• https://familydoctor.org/advance-directives-and-do-not-resuscitate-orders/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303
• http://www.mbhs.org/patients-visitors/advance-healthcare-directive/
Advance Health Care Directive Form:
Last Will and Testaments
Follow this link for information about whether you should have a Will: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/where-theres-a-will-theres-a-way/
Follow these links for information on drafting and updating Wills:
• http://www.mscenterforlegalservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/MAKING_A_WILL_BROCHURE.pdf
• https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/how-can-i-revoke-or-change-my-will/
The American Bar Association provides very detailed information on different areas of estate issues. Follow this link to access the ABA’s information: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/estate_planning_faq.html
We have created some Frequently Asked Questions for Wills. You can access that here.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney allows one or more people to act on your behalf. Power of Attorney laws and requirements differ from state to state. A Power of Attorney may be limited to a particular act, such as signing a certain contract, or general in application.
The American Bar Association provides very detailed Power of Attorney information on its website. Follow this link to access the ABA’s information: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/power_of_attorney.html
Mississippi Organ and Tissue Donations
Follow this link for information about organ and tissue donations, including legal implications: https://www.msbar.org/for-the-public/consumer-information/becoming-an-organ-and-tissue-donor/
Follow this link for the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency: https://msora.org/
Death Certificates
Contact the Mississippi State Department of Health Vital Records to get a copy of a Death Certificate: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/31,0,109.html#Death
