By planning ahead, you are helping your family by not putting them in a position later that can become very emotional and painful for them.
An advanced medical directive, which may also be called a directive to Physicians, is an estate planning document, a legal document, that helps to ensure that your healthcare wishes will be respected, even if you are not in a position or condition to express them.
Advanced Medical Directives: What To Know
Advanced medical directives go by a lot of names.
You may hear them referred to as personal directives, directives to physicians, advance directives, or simply a living will. As defined by the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging, Advanced Care Planning involves learning about the types of decisions that might need to be made when you are unable to make them for yourself, considering those decisions ahead of time, and then letting others know—both your family and your health care providers—about your preferences.
These preferences are often put into an advance directive, a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself.
Most often, advanced medical directives provide clear instructions for your end-of-life care.
We realize that late-stage medical treatment is a sensitive subject for many people, and it may be the last thing on your mind, but it is important to make sure you are helping your loved ones with the decisions which must be made. By drafting advanced medical directives you make sure that your wishes for end-of-life care are respected by doctors and your family.
The personalized attention of Blizzard & Zimmerman Attorneys will assist you in crafting comprehensive estate plans based on your wishes and family situation. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment to discuss setting up your will, health care directives, and power of attorney.
With the attorneys and staff at Blizzard & Zimmerman as your ally, you have the power to protect your family after your death.
We work directly with executors and administrators to ensure compliance with the Texas Estates Code.
