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The need to be connected to a client's personal and business network is a key to better serving the client's needs. Do you have a relationship with the client's executor(trix), the person who holds a durable power of attorney, friends and neighbors who could provide a wellness check on elderly clients, and other members of the professional team (CPA, estate attorney, etc.)?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I seek to plumb the built-in civic engagement of libraries that sits alongside the efforts promoted in this issue. Key concepts are interrogated and democracy and democratic theory are the first, signaling the civic republican model of democracy and democratic citizenship, a model that is both old and durable, different from other forms of democratic theory. Second, modern conditions of democracy challenge the assumptions that civic republicanism rests on, leading to "polarization and cynicism." How they manifest for libraries is next explored. Operating as libraries, libraries engage democratic civic life in an important if overlooked way: equal respect—what it is and what it isn't and how it is made manifest in libraries from the library and information science literature. The concluding section ties together the strengths of libraries' support for democratic society in this essential aspect of the public sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the Mental Capacity Act in Singapore represents a step forward in affirming individual autonomy. However, gaps remain in assessing mental capacity, which is needed for legal documentations such as Lasting Power of Attorney and deputyship applications. The present paper explores, through hypothetical case illustrations, contributions of community psychology in mental capacity assessments by incorporating the community psychology ecological framework and considering unique strengths pertaining to skills and training of community psychologists. Specifically, community psychologists may assist with mental capacity assessments within downstream community settings, leveraging on rapport building skills and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance existing medicolegal processes. Overall, the expertise, experience and orientation of community psychologists underpins their ability to provide competent mental capacity assessments in accordance with guidelines set out by the statutory principles and guidelines. Finally, challenges regarding the involvement of community psychologists in mental capacity assessment, particularly within Singapore, are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Death is universal, yet relatively little is known about how Canadians experience their death. Using novel decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging we describe the prevalence and characteristics of peace with dying among older Canadians. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of decedent interview data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Proxies of deceased Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging participants reported on participants' end-of-life experiences between January 2012 to March 2022. We examined end-of-life characteristics and their association with proxy reports of experiencing peace with dying. We conducted regression analysis to explore the association between demographic and end-of-life characteristics and experiencing peace with dying. Results: Of 3,672 deceased participants, 1,287 (35.0%) had a completed decedent questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Respondents reported that two-thirds (66.0%) of the deceased experienced peace with dying and 17% did not experience peace with dying. The unadjusted odds of experiencing peace with dying were higher for those with an appointed power of attorney (OR 1.80; CI 1.39–2.33), those who died of cancer (OR 1.71; CI 1.27–2.30), those in hospice/receiving palliative care (OR 1.67; CI 1.19–2.37), individuals older than 75 years (OR 1.55; CI 1.04–2.30), or widowed (OR 1.53; CI 1.12–2.10). Widowhood (OR 1.51; CI 1.01–2.29), having an end-of-life SDM (OR 1.58; CI 1.14–2.17), and dying of cancer (OR 1.67; CI 1.19–2.23) increased the adjusted odds of dying with peace. Conclusions: Close to 1 in 5 older Canadians may not experience peace with dying, which supports greater focus on improving the end-of-life care. Our findings suggest that advanced planning may enhance the experience of a peaceful death in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Singapore has an ageing population. End-of-life care and advance care planning are becoming increasingly important. To assess advance care planning engagement, valid tools are required. The primary objective of the study is to validate the 15-, 9- and 4-item versions of the ACP Engagement Survey in Singapore. Methods: 10 inpatients in a Singapore community hospital were purposively sampled for a cognitive debriefing interview on the ACP Engagement Survey. We recruited patients 21 years and older, who were able to understand and speak English, without a diagnosis of dementia, and who were not admitted under the palliative care service. Next, 150 inpatients and caregivers were recruited using convenience sampling across 2 Singapore community hospitals to complete the 15-item ACP Engagement Survey. We assessed content validity, internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, construct validity with hypotheses testing and test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: The ACPES scores were significantly higher for those who reported yes for pre-planning activities such as making a will, making a lasting power of attorney, telling one's doctor about end-of-life care preferences, and telling family or loved ones about end-of-life care preferences. Cronbach's alpha was 0.945 for the 15-item version, 0.915 for the 9-item version, and 0.912 for the 4-item version. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.933 for the 15-item version, 0.938 for the 9-item version and 0.865 for the 4-item version. Conclusions: This study provided good psychometric support for the validity of the 15-item, 9-item and 4-item versions of the ACP Engagement Survey in Singapore. Trial registration: SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board (CIRB) approved this study (reference 2022/2025). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Legacies of British Slavery database shows that George Fife Angas signed with power of attorney for four compensation claims on behalf of slave-owners in ‘Honduras’ (Belize). Scholars hypothesise that he invested compensation funds in South Australia; some allege he owned slaves. Fresh examination of primary sources reveals new findings. Angas did not own slaves. Despite being an abolitionist, he signed in 1835–36 for twenty-seven claims, and in 1838 collected for a twenty-eighth. All transactions post-date his initial investment in the South Australian Company. Any later contributions of compensation funds could have come from agent’s fees; in Belize, the established rate totalled six and a half per cent. Angas donated to organisations with anti-slavery stances. A majority-Black Baptist congregation in Belize remembers him positively. The authors – an Angas-descended historian and a Honduran researcher – consider their positionality, identify enslavers and enslaved, and reassess Angas’ involvement in the slave-compensation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dilemmas and uncertainties related to determining mental capacity and surrogate decision-making are universally recognised as one of the most important concepts in the field of clinical ethics. In Malaysia, healthcare practitioners often find both determining decision-making capacity of patients, and identifying surrogate decision makers for incapacitated patients confusing. This paper explores the concepts of decision-making capacity and surrogate decision-making, identifying key components and associated principles such as substituted judgement and best interests. It reviews current provisions and guidances available in Malaysia that are related to these issues, including the Power of Attorney Act 1949 (revised 1990), Mental Health Act 2001, and various guidelines. It then highlights the challenges encountered in the local clinical setting due to the lack of specific legislation and clear guidance. Finally, this paper provides recommendations for improvements to address these issues in order to safeguard both the clinical practice of healthcare professionals and the rights of patients. These recommendations include the establishment of a regulatory framework with four main domains: clear and objective criteria for mental capacity assessment, provisions for advance decision-making while patients still possess mental capacity, a ladder or hierarchy of surrogate decision-makers, and provisions for appropriate surrogate decision-making standards, as well as the need for advocacy and awareness education among both the general public and healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IIn this installment of the "Looking at Patent Law" series, we present a case study of the prosecution events of U.S. Patent No. 12,065,379; "Decarbonized Cement Blends." The subject invention aligns with an important focus of The Electrochemical Society (ECS) on sustainability and the technical interests of several divisions including Energy Technology (ETD), Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering (IE&EE), and Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry (PAE). Additionally, the case introduces ECS members to an emerging technology of interest to industry. The case study begins with a brief synopsis of the background of the invention followed by 1) summary of several drawings and the specification of the invention, 2) inventor assignment and power of attorney designations, 3) march-in rights for government sponsored research, 4) submission of the Invention Disclosure Statement (IDS) and associated Duty of Candor, 5) summary of the non-final office action rejecting the patent application for obviousness, and 6) applicant response and allowance of the patent application. The case study illustrates the use of adding limitations from a dependent claim to the independent claim to overcome an obviousness rejection. In addition, the case illustrates an applicant-initiated request for prioritized examination for patent applications addressing environmental issues. With this case study, we hope to de-mystify the patent prosecution process and better prepare electrochemical and solid-state scientists, engineers and technologists to interact with their patent counsel regarding their inventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to consideration and proposals regarding the main ways of improving the conclusion of transactions in civil law. The deed in civil law is considered as the main element of annulment, change, or termination of civil legal relations between their participants. The article draws attention to the peculiarities of the conclusion of deeds, and also considers the difficulties that arise in judicial practice in distinguishing the concept of “deeds” from related concepts. At the same time, this article analyzes some aspects of judicial practice arising from the problem of understanding and defining unilateral transactions, where it is noted that they include: issuance and cancellation of a power of attorney; acceptance or preservation of the done thing; notification by one co-owner to other co-owners about the sale of their share in joint ownership; property sale proposal; a public promise of a reward for finding a lost thing; drawing up, changing and revoking a will; acceptance of inheritance and rejection of it, etc. Also, this article takes into account the fact that when considering disputes about the invalidity of transactions, courts need to distinguish between invalid and unconcluded transactions, that is, those that do not have the necessary conditions for their conclusion established by law (for example, there is no agreement on all the essential conditions provided for by law. In the conclusions, the main ways of improving the conclusion of transactions are proposed, which include the following: economic - the conclusion of transactions is carried out in order to ensure and improve the state of the general economy of the country; political - the conclusion of transactions in civil law between participants in civil legal relations ensures the general well-being of the state and the well-being of society in general; social – the conclusion of transactions between participants in civil legal relations is determined by the social policy of the state, where the legal status of a person and a citizen plays a significant role; legal - the conclusion of transactions in civil law is determined by legal aspects, where transactions are concluded between participants in civil legal relations in accordance with the current provisions of normative legal acts; cultural - it is planned to carry out cultural and educational work, which will involve the implementation of certain measures that will have a positive effect on the improvement of the procedure for concluding transactions between participants in civil legal relations in accordance with the requirements of current legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Past studies have shown mixed results on how gender and living with a spouse or partner impact advance care planning (ACP). Few if any have tested for the interaction between these two variables. Objective: We examined how gender and couple status interact to impact the use of ACP practices including written instructions, designating a durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPOAHC), and discussing one's decisions with others. Design: We used cross-sectional data taken from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of adults over the age of 50 in the United States. Methods: Data are from 632 respondents who died between the 2016 core survey and the 2018 exit survey. Participants had completed the 2016 survey and had a proxy informant complete the 2018 exit survey after their death. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test for main effects and interactions. Results: Women were more likely than men to designate a DPOAHC and to discuss their wishes with others. Women living without a partner were more likely than men living without a partner and coupled households to discuss their wishes with family or others. Conclusion: Both gender and couple status are important variables associated with ACP practices. Healthcare providers may want to reach out to women living within a coupled household and men living without a partner to ensure that they know the benefits of ACP. Plain language summary: Are men and women living with a partner less likely to make plans for the type of medical treatment they prefer at the end of life? Why was the study done? To see if men and women living alone or with a partner were more likely to make plans for the type of medical treatment they preferred at the end of life. We examined whether they had written plans, designated someone to make decisions for them, or discussed their wishes with other family members or healthcare providers before they died. What did the researchers do? The research team used survey data from the Health and Retirement Study in the United States on 632 people who had completed a survey in 2016 and died within two years. A family member or friend completed a survey after the person's death reporting on their preferences for end-of-life medical care. What did the researchers find? Women were more likely than men to designate another person to make medical decisions for them and to discuss their wishes with others. Single women were more likely than single men and people living with a partner to discuss their wishes with family or others. What do the findings mean? Women living alone may be more likely to see the benefits of making their end-of-life medical care wishes known to others. Men living alone were the least likely to make their wishes known. Healthcare providers may want to keep these differences in mind when reaching out to patients to explain the benefits of making plans for medical treatments in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The purpose of this research is to examine the terms of marriage in jurisprudence and law. The research method in this study is based on the library method. Research method: In collecting information, referring to reliable libraries and referring to authentic sources of Shia and Sunni jurisprudence have been done. Findings: The results showed that Iqaa is opposite to contract in the composition sentence. When the order of the effect stops when another composition sentence is issued by another person, it is called contract, and if there is no need for both parties, it is called Iqaa. showed that contracts are of two types. First, gratuitous authorization contracts and compulsory exchange contracts, which are of two types. There are three types of contracts in terms of permissibility and necessity. The other side is permissible, and a contract that is permissible on both sides, such as mudarabah, partnership, deposit, loan, and power of attorney. Conclusion: The conditions of marriage include the presence of words, being explicit, being Arabic, being in the past tense, prioritizing the request before the acceptance, the mutuality of the request and the acceptance, tanjiz (definiteness) and the matching of the request and the acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article "Supported Decision-Making: Paving the Way to Empowerment" delves into the concept of supported decision-making (SDM) as a tool to empower older adults and individuals with disabilities in making their own choices with assistance. It discusses the goals, scope, and agreements involved in SDM, emphasizing fiduciary duties and its incorporation into special needs trusts. The role of trust advisory committees, trust protectors, and trustees is highlighted, along with ongoing research projects on the effectiveness of SDM in enhancing self-determination and quality of life. The National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making, supported by the Administration for Community Living, serves as a central hub for information and research on SDM, with initiatives like the Jenny Hatch Justice Project and annual symposiums promoting SDM among diverse groups while upholding civil rights and empowerment. [Extracted from the article]

In this installment of the "Looking at Patent Law" series, we present a case study of the prosecution events of U.S. Patent No. 10,357,839; "Method for Electrochemical Machining using Sympathetic Waveform Interactions". The subject invention aligns with the technical interests of several divisions of The Electrochemical Society (ECS), including Corrosion (CORR), Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering (IE&EE) and Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry (PAE). Additionally, the case introduces ECS members to an emerging technology of interest to industry. The case study begins with a brief synopsis of the background of the invention followed by 1) summary of several drawings and the specification of the invention, 2) inventor assignment and power of attorney designations, 3) submission of the Invention Disclosure Statement (IDS) and associated Duty of Candor, 4) summary of the non-final office action rejecting the patent application for obviousness, and 5) applicant response and allowance of the patent application. The case study illustrates the use of adding limitations from the dependent claims and the specification to the independent claim to overcome an obviousness rejection. In addition, the case illustrates an applicant initiated nonpublication exception to the eighteen month publication rule. With this case study, we hope to de-mystify the patent prosecution process and better prepare electrochemical and solid-state scientists, engineers and technologists to interact with their patent counsel regarding their inventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and ObjectivesMethods and DesignResultsConclusionsDementia-related anxiety (DRA) is the fear or anxiety about a current or future diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. The purpose of the present study was to examine management of DRA.In semi-structured qualitative interviews, 50 community-dwelling adults (58–89 years old, M = 70.80, SD = 6.02) without dementia diagnoses reflected on their thoughts and feelings about dementia. A reflexive inductive thematic approach was used to examine ways people managed DRA.We identified five themes related to managing DRA: monitoring cognitive status (e.g., self-monitoring or objective assessment); active coping strategies (e.g., using external reminders, normalizing age-related change); interpersonal relationships and support (e.g., anticipating benefit of support from others); planning and preparing for potential outcomes (e.g., securing power of attorney, saying goodbyes); and personal responsibility to manage risk or accept diagnosis (e.g., lifestyle factors to reduce dementia risk, thereby reducing risk for burdening others).Findings suggest internal and external means for coping with DRA that are likely to vary in degrees of usefulness. We consider findings within the context of relevant, established theories, attending to potential clinical interventions for individuals experiencing DRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the United States alone, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. In response to the growing need for viable organs to transplant, donor management centers have opened to provide care to brain-dead organ donors prior to the organ procurement operation. This article describes donor management center operations, details the opening of one such unit, and describes the results and lessons learned. More research is needed on the impact of nursing care on the specialized organ donor population. This article describes donor management center operations, details the opening of one such unit, and describes the results and lessons learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease. Yet dialysis is not suitable for all ESRD patients. Moreover, while shared decision-making (SDM) is the preferred model for making medical decisions, little is known about SDM between nephrology nurses and ESRD patients in Israel. Research Objective: Assessing the views, attitudes, practices, and ethical dilemmas of nephrology nurses in Israel regarding SDM with ESRD patients. Methods: Using the descriptive quantitative approach, questionnaires were completed by 444 nephrology nurses in Israel. In addition to conducting descriptive statistics, t-tests for independent samples, f-tests for analysis of variance, and both tests for independence were also performed. Ethical Considerations: The research aims, expected advantages and risks have been explained to respondents before completing the questionnaire to secure informed consent. Anonymity and confidentiality were ensured throughout the study. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Haifa (Approval # 411/21). Results: About one-third (30%–36.5%) of nurses reported discussing quality of life issues with ESRD patients, asking about their advance directives/power of attorney, exploring cultural/religious beliefs in end-of-life care, and ask about their preferred place of death. Nurses who convey high levels of patient-centered care (68.9%, p <0.0001), have high end-of-life training (76.2%, p <0.0001), and report cooperating with interdisciplinary teams (63.8%, p = 0.0415), also reported higher SDM practices than others. Nurses who refer less patients to palliative care (70%, p <0.0001) reported higher involvement in SDM compared to other nurses. Conclusions: Nephrology nurses in Israel do not tend to implement the SDM model, despite its potential for improving quality of life for ESRD patients and their families and increasing conservative care options. Policy makers and educators in Israel should develop and implement training programs and support in the workplace, to enhance SDM between nephrology nurses and ESRD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In goals of care conversations and through the care trajectory, to avoid insensitive or discriminatory care, it is vital clinicians recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ patients' values and wishes. In clinical settings, implicit bias operating within unconscious awareness may challenge the commitment to equitable care, negatively affecting patient outcomes. In this composite case, during a conversation with a social worker/nurse team, a cisgender woman repeatedly expressed her wishes for her female partner to be her decision maker instead of her biological family. The conversation stalled during the patient's attempts to identify her partner as her most valued and trusted person. Interviewer follow-up responses based on motivational interviewing techniques, which do not include strategies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ interactions, inaccurately reflected the patient's needs. Two ethical issues emerged, (1) autonomy and (2) beneficence. Clinicians should approach all patients using nongendered language, and allow patients to self-identify and decide which people are in their support system. Lack of inclusivity training has significant potential to affect the patient experience and decrease clinician/patient trust. Clinicians should not assume the decision maker is a cisgender, heterosexual partner or a biological family member. When patients speak about their partners, it is imperative clinicians use the patient's language and not avoid or redirect responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite oxide La 0.9 Sr 0.1 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3 (LSGM) is an intermedium-temperature solid oxide cell electrolyte material with extraordinary oxygen-ion conductivity. However, the manufacturing procedures of LSGM discs are complex involving multiple steps of powder preparation, forming, and sintering at high temperatures. Herein, thin LSGM electrolyte discs are prepared by coupling of tape casting and in situ solid-state reaction using oxides/carbonates as the feedstock. A pure-phase LSGM electrolyte disc with uniform elemental distribution is obtained by sintering at 1450 °C, and it possesses an ionic conductivity of 0.105 S cm 1 at 800 °C, a thermal expansion coefficient of 12.2 × 10 6 K 1, and a bending strength of 156 MPa A 170 µm thick LSGM electrolyte-supported single cell delivers a peak power density of 0.96 W cm 2 at 800 °C and an electrolysis current density of 1.82 A cm 2 at 1.5 V with no noticeable degradation for 200 h. The findings of this research provide a cost-effective approach for manufacturing the LSGM electrolytes of efficient and durable solid oxide cells. • Thin LSGM discs are prepared by coupling of tape casting and in situ solid-state reaction. • Pure-phase LSGM discs are produced with favourable physical properties. • A LSGM-supported single cell exhibits outstanding output performance and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advances in medical care, more youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are transitioning into adulthood. Patient- and family-centered, integrated care is warranted around this time of transition. Support teams (including the youth, caregivers, teachers, and pediatricians) should engage in transition planning, ideally starting between 12 and 14 years of age, to identify and develop resources to support the maturing youth's capacity for independent decision-making. Care teams should consider the varied levels of alternative decision-making support, which may include supported decision-making, medical proxy decision-making, power of attorney, and/or establishment of legal guardianship arrangements, to support the youth's health and well-being optimally. Ultimately, if independent decision-making is not appropriate, the goal for youth with IDD should be the least restrictive alternative, while preserving human rights and human dignity and promoting their autonomy. These considerations review alternative decision-making support, concepts, and legal requirements available for youth with IDD and their care teams. Pediatricians can support youth with IDD and their families in the transition process and decision-making autonomy by actively engaging the youth in care decisions, supporting needs for augmentative communication, fostering their expression of preferences and understanding of care decisions, and linking them to resources such as themedical-legal partnership model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on various legal decisions, including the termination of a patient's ventilation without the approval of the guardianship court and the non-obligation of a defendant to search for a power of attorney. A doctor is accused of making false claims for COVID-19 vaccinations. It is noted that computer fraud is possible even without data verification. A legal dispute over the social insurance obligation of a doctor working in a foreign practice is described. Employment is not excluded simply because the practice owners receive a portion of the patient fees. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Survivor's Compensation after the Death of the Mother due to the Decision of a Guardian?" deals with a legal dispute concerning the liability of a guardian for the death of a person under guardianship. The Saarbrücken Regional Court has ruled that the lawsuit is admissible but unfounded. The plaintiff has no claim to payment of survivor's compensation according to § 844 para. 3 of the German Civil Code. It is determined that the guardian did not commit any breach of duty and therefore cannot be held liable. It is also explained that the presumed will of the patient must be determined if no living will is available. The statements of the guardian are considered credible, while the statements of the plaintiff raise doubts. It is determined that the plaintiff did not submit a living will and her explanation for its absence is not convincing. The present text deals with various legal aspects related to a power of attorney for care and a living will. It is determined that the court is convinced that the presumed will of the person under guardianship was communicated to the defendant, that she did not wish for life-prolonging measures through machines. It is also determined that no approval from the guardianship court was required to terminate ventilation. Furthermore, it is mentioned that the defendant was not obligated to investigate whether a power of attorney for care existed in favor of the plaintiff. In another part of the text, the offense of forging a vaccination certificate and computer fraud through the use of incorrect data in connection with falsely billed "Corona" vaccinations is discussed. [Extracted from the article]

Given the lack of research on geographic variations in advance care planning (ACP) engagement, this study examined whether there were 1) regional variations in engagement in ACP and 2) racial and ethnic differences in ACP by regions of the United States. The sample included 2,015 Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. from the 2012 National Health and Aging Trends Study that asked respondents about ACP engagement (i.e., discussed end-of-life treatments, had a durable power of attorney for health care, or completed a living will). Results from logistic regression analysis showed that older adults living in the West (OR = 1.66, p =.003) and the Midwest (OR = 1.39, p =.032) were more likely to engage in ACP than those living in the South. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses that examined racial and ethnic differences by region revealed that Blacks were less likely to be engaged in ACP than Whites in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. Hispanics were less likely to participate in ACP than Whites in the West and the Northeast. The findings provide an insight into disparities in ACP in different regions in the U.S., suggesting target areas for interventions to improve engagement in ACP among non-dominant racial and ethnic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to manage one's finances or to make a will can become important under certain circumstances. Physicians are sometimes asked to evaluate the financial or testamentary capacity of their patients, particularly vulnerable, older, and cognitively impaired individuals, and thus can play a vital role in assisting with the legal process of determining one's capacity. Undue influence may be a factor affecting an individual's judgment. Identifying signs that signal susceptibility to undue influence can be both clinically and legally relevant, and the British Columbia Law Institute's recently published guide for recognizing and preventing undue influence can aid in such an evaluation. This review provides guidance for clinicians in assessing patients for financial capacity, testamentary capacity, capacity to assign a power of attorney or a representative, and undue influence, particularly if the individual has been deemed incapable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explain the legal basis and functions of organs in a Limited Liability Company (PT) and identify the legal impact on PT organs that carry out the duties and authorities of other organs. In the global context, Good Corporate Governance (GCG) is the key to the company's success for long-term growth and business continuity. The economic crisis in Asia and Latin America in 1999 was attributed to the failure of GCG implementation. The research method used is normative juridical with an analytical descriptive approach. The two main approaches used are the statutory approach and the conceptual approach. The results showed that the executive actions of Commissioners in PT require approval from the Board of Directors with a power of attorney, maintaining legality and implementing the principles of Good Corporate Governance. The Bank, as a third party, also requests a power of attorney to ensure the legality of the applicant who is a Commissioner. Research reveals the legal basis for the establishment of a PT stipulated in Articles 36-56 of the Criminal Code and Articles 1233-1652 of the Civil Code. This research contributes to understanding the importance of GCG implementation and the legality of the Commissioners' executive actions in maintaining the integrity of the company. The results of the research are expected to be the basis for companies and regulators to improve good corporate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the financial power of attorney case law and its impact on the practice of law in the area of estate planning. Topics discussed include the capacity required for a principal to execute a power of attorney, ability granted to an agent under power of attorney to create a trust on behalf of the principal, agent empowerment to make gifts, and tips for client consultation and drafting.

Wills and powers of attorney are two components of effective estate planning. Financial professionals are in a privileged position to identify roadblocks that prevent clients from establishing these critical components of an estate plan. When a client or loved ones are ill, incapacitated, or pass, these documents help guide individuals and families through tough times. This column provides a brief overview of the current landscape of wills and powers of attorney in the United States and how financial professionals can assist clients and their loved ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in introspection of the United States health care infrastructure, especially with advance care planning (ACP). Methods: This is a retrospective chart review assessing the frequency of ACP discussions and formal documents reflecting ACP wishes in an outpatient palliative medicine (PM) practice. The study site was at University Medical Center New Orleans from pre-COVID-19 surge (November 2019–February 2020) to months during and post-COVID-19 surge (March–April 2020). Results: Results showed an increase in ACP discussions during the post-COVID-19 months. Patients seen during the surge and post-COVID-19 months were more likely to discuss medical power of attorney (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78, p = 0.045) and preferred code status (OR = 2.82, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that more ACP discussions were conducted post-COVID-19 versus pre-COVID-19. However, formal documents reflecting these wishes were lacking. These results can help guide ACP use in crisis periods and improve understanding of ACP discussions in an outpatient PM clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]