Healthcare Directives in Roseville, California

No one wants to think about their own death or dying, but it's a reality. An accident can happen any day. You could be diagnosed with a terminal illness. If you do not have a plan established on end-of-life care or medical treatment preferences for when you are incapacitated and cannot speak for yourself, decisions will have to be made by family members. That can be a source of infighting and guilt. You don't want that. 

At LL Law Firm, we can go over these sensitive matters with you and help you devise a healthcare directive that mirrors your values and beliefs. Contact us at (916) 619-2349 or schedule an Initial Free Consultation to learn more. In the meantime, below is a guide to healthcare directives that address common issues and questions that many of our clients have before coming to see us.

What Can Healthcare Directives Do?

• Let's name another individual as an agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now, even though you are still capable. (Your agent may not be an operator or employee of a community care facility or a residential care facility where you are receiving care, or your supervising health care provider or employee of the health care institution where you are receiving care, unless your agent is related to you or is a coworker.)
• Let's give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent.
• Let's express an intention to donate your bodily organs and tissues following your death.
• Let's designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care.

• The form must be signed by two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public. Give a copy of the signed and completed form to your physician, to any other health care providers you may have, to any health care institution at which you are receiving care, and to any health care agents you have named. You should talk to the person you have named as an agent to make sure that he or she understands your wishes and is willing to take responsibility.

  You have the right to revoke this advance health care directive or replace this form at any time.

In sum, healthcare directives do a lot for such a small part of an estate plan—they save your family the emotional pain of making healthcare decisions for you when you no longer can, and they secure your medical treatment preferences so that the care you do not want is not provided while the care you want is provided.

Changing Advance Directives in Placer County, California

Every few years, you should review your advance directives and make changes accordingly. This is true for all your estate plan documents. There are two events that particularly prompt a need for an update:

1. A new diagnosis, a terminal illness or disease that will alter your way of life, and
2. Marriage or divorce, i.e., you may want to change who you appoint as your healthcare proxy or agent.

Contact a Healthcare Directive Lawyer in Roseville, California, Today

Planning for your future health care is an important part of your estate plan. It is not something to be avoided. Peace comes with being prepared. At LL Law Firm, our estate planning lawyer will walk you through the steps of a healthcare directive and all other components of an estate plan that suit your needs and wants. Contact us either by using the online form or by calling us directly at (916) 619-2349 to schedule an initial free consultation today.