Advance Directives

Advance Directives

Advance directives, including living wills and other documents, are written, legal instructions regarding your preferences for medical care, in the event that  you are unable to make those decisions for yourself.  Advance directives can include:

• Living Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Health Care Surrogate Designation
• Pre-Need Guardianship Designation

While you are not required by law to have an advance directive, it is an important document that can be helpful in making decisions regarding your healthcare should you become incapacitated.  It eliminates placing the burden on a family member, or in some instances a court-appointed guardian, who is not aware of your decisions and regarding life-prolonging procedures.

An attorney can help you prepare the advance directive forms.  Once the advance directive is complete it needs to be witnessed by two individuals, and one witness must be a non-relative.  Advance directives can also be modified, in the event that you change your mind about future healthcare decisions. The changes need to be written, dated and witnessed.

Once your advance directive is completed, you should share with your healthcare surrogate, spouse, and medical providers, to make sure all are aware of your decisions.  Discuss how you would like your affairs handled, in the event you become incapacitated.

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