[texasflower]

I don't know Michael's motives. I don't think you really do either, you are just making assumptions.

The fact remains that he has the legal right and responsibility to make these decisions for her.

It is something that happens every single day, hundreds of times. Every day these decisions have to be made all across the country.

The law says that the spouse is the next of kin. Period.

[thoughtomator]

I'm not psychic, so no, I don't know.

However, there's a large body of evidence that supports the allegation that he was abusive towards her, most of which was probably summarized in the DCF filing. I bet if that were the case his spousal privileges could be mooted by the court.