A comprehensive estate plan includes several legal documents that clearly lay out your wishes, including a Health Care Directive. This document, also referred to as a Living Will or Advanced Directive, clearly states your wishes regarding the use of certain life-sustaining medical treatments in the event you’re in a coma or unable to communicate. Health Care Directives might be scrutinized by a judge, which is why there are specific rules for how to properly draft and execute them.
Even if you have talked to your family about your preferences, disagreements about what you really wanted, and/or possible health care and legal protocols may lead to arguments or even court battles. A Health Care Directive puts your wishes in writing and carry’s the same legal weight as though you were directly saying what you do or do not want. Authorizing or denying treatment in writing and in advance can ensure that both your family members and your medical care providers will follow your wishes.
There’s always a chance you might experience a medical event that doesn’t fit squarely within a Health Care Directive. This is where a different estate planning document, a Medical Power of Attorney, could come into play. A Medical Power of Attorney authorizes someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. It covers a different set of circumstances from a Health Care Directive, but it’s equally as important.
If you’re looking to prepare your first set of estate planning documents or if you’ve experienced a major life event and need to update your old estate plan, then contact the attorneys at Cooney Law Offices today. We can discuss your options and prepare an estate plan that fits your life and your wishes. Cooney Law Offices. We can help.