The 2008 4th Edition of Merri Rudd's book Life Planning in New Mexico is available from Abogada Press and selected bookstores around the state. The book is a guide to New Mexico law on powers of attorney, health care decision-making, nursing home benefits, wills, trusts and probate. Written in plain English, the book will help educate and inform senior citizens, their families, those who work with seniors and others about important issues.
The book is 312 pages, ISBN 0-9632173-8-0, 6" x 9" format, 12 pt. text with colored cover, softcover, perfect bound, with table of contents and detailed index. Price is $23.95 per book retail. Bookstore discounts are available.
Merri Rudd, Bernalillo County's Probate Judge, teaches, writes and speaks about legal issues affecting senior citizens. See Authors page for more.
Life Planning in New Mexico includes information on:
Management During Illness or Incapacity: Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Financial Matters, including the new Uniform Power of Attorney Act; Choosing an Agent; Durability and Effective Date of Power of Attorney; Law Changes; Guardianships and Conservatorships
Health Care Decisions in New Mexico: Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act; Right to Die and End-of-Life Decisions; EMS-DNR Orders; Assisted Suicide Prohibited
Planning for Nursing Home Care: Benefits Available; Income and Resource Eligibility Requirements; Transferring Assets; Protecting Resources
New Mexico Law Regarding Wills: Making a Will; Choosing a Personal Representative; Titles on Property; Second Marriages; Dying without a Will
Trusts in New Mexico: Uniform Trust Act; Testamentary Trusts; Revocable Living Trusts; Creating a Trust; Pourover Wills; Tax Planning Issues
Probating an Estate in New Mexico: Court Procedure; Tasks of Personal Representative; Paying Debts; Distributing Assets; Probate Shortcuts
APPENDIX 1-RESOURCES: Organizations Aiding Senior Citizens; Toll Free Telephone Numbers and Web Site Addresses
APPENDIX 2-FORMS: Values History Form; Optional Health Care Decision-Making Form; Transfer on Deed Deed Form, Cremation Authorization Form; Affidavit of Successor in Interest; Affidavit of Transfer of Homestead
We are sorry that we can no longer offer supplements to the book's 2000 third edition, 1997 second edition, or the original edition dated 1992. Those editions are now very old, and many laws have changed.
Life Planning