Estate Planning for Police, Fire, and Medical Personnel (Dallas Bar Association)

You may wish to print, complete and sign to put your affairs in order as needed to give you some peace of mind. Most of the forms provided are derived from statutory versions passed by the Texas Legislature, but access to the forms presented resulted from sources to whom credit was given on the webpage, for which we are also most grateful. The webpage provides:

• planning forms for your signature;
• summaries of the forms;
• additional lawyer video explanations; and
• an article explaining how to successfully complete and execute the forms.  

The Medical Power of Attorney is a statutory form used to name an agent to make medical treatment decisions for you should you later become incapacitated. It can help you avoid the need for a Guardian of the Person. 

Signing: Requires two adult witnesses (one of whom must The form document from the Texas Guardianship Manual 4th Edition was provided to the Dallas Bar Association compliments of TexasBarBooks.be qualified) or a notary.

Video - Attorney Explanation of Medical Power of Attorney Form (Rebekah Brooker) 

The Directive to Physicians (Living Will) is a statutory form used to specify whether life support will be withheld or withdrawn when you are incapacitated and are in a “terminal condition” or an “irreversible condition.” It helps you avoid the need for a Guardian of the Person if an agent is named. 

Signing:  Requires two adult witnesses (one of whom must be qualified) or a notary. 

The Dallas Bar Association derived this form document from the Texas Guardianship Manual 4th Edition, compliments of TexasBarBooks.

Video - Attorney Explanation of Directive to Physician Form (Rebekah Brooker)

The HIPAA Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information authorizes your health providers to release your Private Health Information to designated persons in compliance with federal HIPAA requirements. Signing: Requires only your signature. 

This form was provided compliments of the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program of Legal Aid of Northwest Texas.

Video - Attorney Explanation of HIPPA Authorization (Rebekah Brooker)

The Statutory Durable Power of Attorney names an agent or agents to handle your property and financial affairs, which can be effective upon signing or only upon becoming incapacitated and allows you to grant specific or all statutory defined powers. Can avoid a Guardian of the Estate. Signing: Requires a Notary. 

Form document from the Texas Guardianship Manual 4th Edition provided to the Dallas Bar Association compliments of TexasBarBooks.

Video - Attorney Explanation of Statutory Durable Power of Attorney (Greg Sampson) 

The Declaration of Guardian if Later Need Arises allows you to name a guardian of your person and guardian of your estate for the court to appoint if you later become incapacitated. It can disqualify certain persons from serving as your guardian. It may not be needed if you have a Medical Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney. 

Signing: May be entirely handwritten by you and signed without witnesses, or typed and signed with two witnesses, and may also be self-proved with a notary. Witnesses are required when naming disqualified persons, otherwise may only need a notary. 

Form document from the Texas Guardianship Manual 4th Edition provided to the Dallas Bar Association compliments of TexasBarBooks.

Video - Attorney Explanation of Declaration of Guardian if Later Need Arises (Greg Sampson)

The Declaration of Guardian for Children allows you to name a guardian of the person and/or guardian of the estate (if any) for a minor child or incapacitated adult child for the court to appoint if you are deceased or incapacitated.  Appointment can also be made in a valid will to take effect upon your death. The remaining parent is a natural guardian of the person. 

Signing: It may be entirely handwritten by you and signed without witnesses, or typed and signed with two witnesses, and may also be self-proved with a notary. Form document from the Texas Guardianship Manual 4th Edition provided compliments of TexasBarBooks.

Video - Attorney Explanation of Declaration of Guardian for Children (Greg Sampson)

These are Handwritten (Holographic) Will Instructions for a very simple handwritten will that requires only the testator's signature if the will is written entirely in the testator’s handwriting. It is intended as an emergency measure for use until a more comprehensive will can be prepared by a lawyer. Provided to Dallas Bar Association by Houston Volunteer Lawyers program.

Video - Attorney Explanation on how to draft a Holographic Will (Jack Fan)

Read End-of-Life Documents by Judon Fambrough of the Texas A&M Real Estate Center, which summarizes the law and explains what these planning documents accomplish.

Visit Police, Fire, and Medical Personnel Planning Forms, which is the original Dallas Bar Association page that provides these forms and videos.