Attention snowbirds!  Are you covered when you fly South for the Winter?

Many Michigan residents are lucky enough to spend the winter in sunny Florida.  If you are one these snowbirds, do you have a Durable Power of Attorney and an advanced directive for your health care decisions that are compliant with both Michigan and Florida law?  If not, you could cost your estate or your loved ones a lot of money if something were to happen to you and you were unable to make decisions for yourself. 

If you do not have a document that is recognized by the law of the state you are living in that names someone to legally make decisions for you, your loved ones may be forced to go through the courts in that state to get an individual appointed to act for you.  This is a decision that you should make for yourself, as you know best who you would trust to make important decisions for your regarding your finances and health care. 

The Florida law related to these documents is considerably different than the Michigan law; therefore, if you have Michigan compliant documents but you spend a large portion of time in Florida, you should contact an attorney and get Florida compliant documents drafted as well.