Estate & Asset Protection Attorney and Managing Partner, Shannon Pawley, reminds readers that no one knows when they might lose decision-making ability and/or be suddenly at death’s door which brings attention to the ability everyone has to make decisions and declarations beforehand about how they want to be treated when that time comes.

DECATUR, GA, June 23, 2021: Shannon Pawley, Managing Partner of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm, has posted a new article on the law firm’s website entitled “Live And Die With Dignity.” Ms. Pawley points out how COVID-19 brought the importance of dying with dignity to mind.

Pawley writes, “Living on your own terms is one of the great privileges we humans have even if everyone doesn’t actually achieve that ideal. And, now we Americans are also paying more attention to how we die.”

As Pawley states, “Dying with dignity and on your own terms is truly important since medical professionals are trained to keep everyone alive no matter the circumstances unless they are directed to do otherwise.” She adds, “This leads me to the importance of end-of-life Treatment Medical Declarations.” Pawley writes, “You want your loved ones to know your wishes in the event of a sudden illness, accident or slipping in and out of consciousness in old age. With the all-too common use of intubations during COVID-19, we are learning about the many different treatments that can be performed on someone to keep them alive.” She emphasizes, “COVID-19 has made everyone aware of how death can claim anyone at any time in a more vivid and profound way than ever before.”

According to Pawley, “Each of the following – advance directive, living will and healthcare Power of Attorney – are the same thing. The terms are often used interchangeably. No matter what they are called,” she continues, “it is important to have one if you want to die on your own terms. The purpose of these documents is to articulate and document your wishes concerning medical treatment should you lose decision-making ability.”

“With this document,” Pawley explains, “you designate an individual, known as your healthcare agent or proxy, to ensure your wishes are honored should you no longer be able to speak for yourself. This includes, among other things, making decisions about when to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment.”

The entire article can be read at LINK HERE

About The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm

The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm was established to serve the legal needs of retiring citizens. The Firm focuses its entire practice on providing strategies to protect independence, privacy, assets and taxes from the government. Victoria Collier and Shannon Pawley have grown their law practice by providing excellent customer satisfaction with personalized wealth protection plans.

About Victoria Collier

Victoria L. Collier, CELA founded The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm to serve the legal needs of retiring individuals. In our firm, WE BELIEVE that people should not have to lose everything they’ve worked a lifetime to earn and that every person is an individual who deserves respect and the highest quality of life possible, regardless of age or ability. We also believe that privacy and protection are the keys to personal peace.

Victoria enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during Desert Storm, 1989-1995, and also served in the U.S. Army Reserves, 1Lt. 2001-2004, JAG Corps. Victoria is a national expert on the VA Wartime Pension for veterans and their widows who need additional assistance with activities of daily living and helping them qualify for and receive tax-free income from the VA to pay for it. Victoria graduated from Valdosta State University with a B.A. in Psychology and then University of Nebraska, College of Law. In 2014, Victoria was awarded with the Alumni Master Award from the University of Nebraska.

Victoria is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through The National Elder Law Foundation and has been named as the only attorney in Georgia as “Fellow” of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Victoria was appointed by Governor Perdue to the Georgia Council on Aging, 2010 – 2016 and was awarded Dekalb County Veteran of the Year, 2013. She is the author of 47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors; Paying for Long Term Care – Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit. Victoria has co-authored several books: Blooper Episodes in Estate Planning, Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home, and Protect Your IRA: Avoid the 5 Common Mistakes. Most notably, Victoria co-authored the National Best Seller, The Road to Success, with Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

About Shannon M. Pawley, J.D., LL.M

Shannon is the firm’s Managing Partner. Born and raised in the Tidewater area of Virginia to a tightknit family with strong military service roots, Shannon learned from an early age the value of hard work and the importance of social awareness to ensure you always leave a situation in a better place than how you entered it. In her junior year of high school, Shannon served as U.S. House of Representatives Page during the 101st United States Congressional Session in Washington, D.C. This experience exposed her to numerous new cultures and worldly issues. Walking away from her experience as a U.S. House of Representative Page, Shannon knew that she wanted to pursue legal studies and be able to assist others in obtaining the best results available in difficult situations.
Shannon earned her undergraduate degree at North Carolina Wesleyan College and pursued a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. After obtaining her law degree and becoming a licensed attorney in Michigan, she continued her educational pursuit by acquiring a LL.M. (Master of Law) in Taxation from Wayne State University.

###