August 20, 1998

Mr. & Mrs. George C. Artley

171 Coop Road

Bell Buckle, Tennessee 37020-4604

Dear Peggy & George:

Thank you for your letter of August 6, 1998. I am very sorry to hear about Mary Crockett and I hope she is doing as well as can be expected.

I am sorry that I do not know the answers to your questions. Of course, I have not practiced law since 1981, and never really practiced in the area of geriatric law.

I can tell you that the power-of-attorney is valid only until such time as the person who executed the power is in life. After death, the power-of-attorney ceases to have any validity. At that time, the executor or executrix under the Will takes over.

I suggest that you contact some agencies under the Department of Human Resources for the State of Georgia to get answers to your questions regarding laws, rules and regulations governing Nursing Homes. I suggest you contact the Division of Aging Services at (404) 657-5258; Long Term Care Ombudsman (404) 657-5319; Elderly Rights and Advocacy (404) 657-5319 and/or Community Care Services Program (404) 657-5307. Most likely, at least one of these agencies will be able to provide you with the information you need, or direct you to an agency which can help you.

Sincerely,

William L. Martin, III

Administrator/Clerk

Court of Appeals of Georgia

WLM , III/ld