State Bar promotes Life Planning Week in November

For the second year in a row, Governor Jim Doyle has proclaimed "Life Planning Week" in Wisconsin. During the week of November 8-12, State Bar of Wisconsin members will offer their advice and expertise to promote awareness of the importance of preparing for your future health needs. In an effort to continue this commitment to reminding Wisconsin families about the importance of documenting future health care needs, the State Bar will join several other communities during this week hosting a series of radio interviews with local attorneys around the state in order to inform the public about the importance of Life Planning.

“The State Bar is pleased to sponsor Life Planning Week events in communities throughout the state,” says State Bar President Michelle Behnke. “Planning ahead for future health needs can make all the difference to you and your family during a medical emergency. Life Planning Week serves as a reminder for Wisconsin residents to discuss health care decisions and put their wishes in writing before that emergency happens.”

During the Life Planning promotion, Wisconsin attorneys will discuss life planning on air and direct people to resources that can help them make these difficult decisions.  Bar members volunteering for these interviews will also be answering general legal questions on this topic. The State Bar will also be giving away a limited number of our free life planning guides entitled, "A Gift to Your Family." This publication has been very popular since it was first produced ... over 6,000 copies were downloaded from this website during Life Planning Week last year alone.  This topic has been of great interest in the news as of late, especially with high profile cases such as Terri Schiavo's in Florida.

The State Bar joined forces with the Wisconsin Health & Hospital Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society and Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in a statewide public service campaign on life planning beginning in 1999. Through the partnership, a consumer guide, A Gift to Your Family was produced that provides information, instructions and medical forms. Download your free Life Planning Guide at
http://www.legalexplorer.com/resources/booksearch.asp

2004 Life Planning Campaign Details:

Monday, November 8 from 11 - 11:30 a.m.: The Life Planning Proclamation presentation and Life Planning Kick-Off, State Law Library, Rare Books Room, 120 East Martin Luther King Boulevard, Madison. The media is invited to attend.
Monday, November 8: Wisconsin Public Radio in Milwaukee will broadcast a 45-minute call-in show with Ben Mertens beginning at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 10: Life Planning Week proclamation presentation to the Mayor of Green Bay, time TBD
Thursday, November 11: Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton will present the Governor's Life Planning Week proclamation to the City of Racine's Mayor. Time TBD, however sometime before 10:30 a.m.

Throughout the coming months, the State Bar will also sponsor “Life Planning Day” in other communities across the state. Similar to the first life planning week in 2003, the public will be notified by newspaper and radio to call a toll-free number where volunteer attorneys will be on hand to answer questions and provide life planning information. Callers can learn more about advance directives, medical powers of attorney, declarations to physicians, and other end-of-life treatment options.

As upcoming hotlines are planned the dates will be posted to this Web site, and the toll-free numbers will be posted as they become available. Life Planning Days currently scheduled in the following communities:

• La Crosse date to be announced
• Milwaukee date to be announced