Advance Medical Directives

Advance medical directives are instructions pertaining to future health care that take effect when someone becomes unable to communicate or make decisions.

Advance health care directives are not just for the seriously ill or the elderly. Everyone is vulnerable to debilitating illness or accidents. Likewise, even if you believe your spouse or adult children understand your health care wishes, specifying them in writing helps reduce stress and guesswork on their behalf, as well as ensuring your wishes are honored.

Advance medical directive

An advance medical directive is a legal arrangement and document whereby you grant a trusted person, your healthcare representative, the authority to make health care decisions on your behalf.  It is used to establish what types of medical care you do or do not want to receive if you become unable to direct your own care. Among other purposes, it specifies whether you wish to receive certain types of life-prolonging treatment if you are near death.

Healthcare representative

Your healthcare representative is the person entrusted with the duty to follow all instructions specified in your advance medical directive. They provide oversight to ensure your wishes are fulfilled and make decisions in situations not covered by your directive.

Protect yourself and your loved ones

Advance medical directives are the best way to ensure your health care wishes are fulfilled when others become responsible for your care. The benefits also extend to your survivors, who can avoid stressful disagreements and doubt as to the proper course of action. For your own sake and the sake of your loved ones, make an appointment today to discuss your options with our experienced estate planning attorneys.

If you need an attorney to represent you in any of these matters, call Hulse & Wynter today or use the form below to start a conversation with us.