What You Should Know About An Advance Directive Before You Need One

Have you ever been watching the news and heard a story about a legal brouhaha stemming from a family’s wish to remove a loved one from life-sustaining machines while the hospital pushed back? In nearly every case, the one thing that was missing was an advance directive, a procedural element letting everyone know exactly what the patient’s actual wishes were in the very situation they find themselves in. You vow that you’ll never let something like that happen because it’s such a mess for the family, and you’ll even start writing some basic notes on the subject in the morning over breakfast.

It sounds great except for one thing ⏤ what if you pass in your sleep?

This isn’t meant to alarm you or make you balk at the idea that someone would coerce action based on fear-mongering. It is, however, trying to illustrate a basic flaw in the logic of most folks. They always assume there is a tomorrow to get to something, but as we know from sudden tragedies, you really don’t know what may come of the future. It’s for this reason alone that you need to get something in place to help your family know how you want your medical care to go when you can’t make decisions on your own.

Here are some basic things to know about an advance directive:

It’s Specific to Healthcare Decisions ⏤ This has nothing to do with dispersal of property/assets. All you’re outlining is your healthcare wishes.

Numerous Formats & Versions from State to State ⏤ While there are some basic forms you can look at for guidance, it pays to work with an estate attorney in your state so that you are following all of the laws when drafting documents.

You Can Get Very Specific ⏤ Whether you’re specifying the use of breathing tubes and CPR, your advance directive can be, and should be, detailed.

An advance directive is peace of mind for your loved ones should the unthinkable happen to you. It’s important to have these conversations when you’re healthy and able to fully communicate exactly what you want when the time comes.

If you need help with estate planning including, but not limited to, an advance directive, The Law Office of Daniel R. Weiner in Laguna Beach, CA should be at the top of your list.