Having advance directives and a living will reduces uncertainty for loved ones and medical teams, ensures consent for procedures, and designates a healthcare agent to speak on your behalf. These documents also streamline decisions during stressful moments, help avoid unnecessary guardianship, and reflect your values even when communication is not possible.
A comprehensive strategy delivers consistent guidance across care settings, reducing misinterpretation. Clear roles and documented preferences help medical teams act decisively in accordance with your wishes, even when emotions are high.
Our firm brings practical experience in Maryland estate planning and a focus on clear, compliant documents. We prioritize your values, coordinate with your broader estate plan, and help you prepare for medical decisions with confidence.
Periodic reviews help reflect changes in health, family dynamics, or laws, ensuring continued alignment with your wishes.
An advance directive is a written document that lets you outline the medical treatments you want or do not want if you become unable to communicate. It often includes appointing a healthcare agent to make decisions on your behalf. This ensures your preferences guide care when you cannot speak for yourself. In Maryland, these directives must be clear, specific, and legally valid to be effective.
Choosing a healthcare agent is a critical step. Look for someone trusted, capable of communicating with doctors, and willing to advocate for your wishes. Discuss scenarios with them in advance, and ensure they understand your values and healthcare goals. Your attorney can help document this appointment accurately.
A living will documents the treatments you desire in specific medical situations, particularly near end of life. It works in tandem with an advance directive to guide decisions about life-sustaining measures, comfort care, and the use of resuscitation procedures as guided by your values.
Review directives at least every few years or after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or a new diagnosis. Laws may change, and your health status or preferences may evolve, so regular updates help keep your plan accurate.
Most directives benefit from witnessing or notarization as required by Maryland law. Notarization adds formal validation, while witnesses confirm the signature process. We explain the specific requirements for your documents and help you complete the proper steps.
Yes. You can update directives at any time as your preferences or circumstances change. We recommend reviewing documents after major health events or changes in family dynamics to ensure alignment with current wishes and laws.
Privacy rules under HIPAA govern who can access your medical information. Your directives should include proper privacy authorizations to allow your healthcare agent or designated representatives to obtain information needed to make informed decisions on your behalf.
If you move to another state, your directives may need to be updated to comply with local laws. Some documents are portable, but many states require new forms or alterations to remain valid. Consult an attorney in your new location to coordinate changes.
Without a directive, medical decisions may be made solely by physicians or guardians, who may not share your values. This can lead to disagreements among family members and potential delays in care. Having a directive helps ensure your preferences guide treatment.
To begin today, contact our office for a confidential consultation. We will discuss your goals, collect necessary information, and outline the steps to draft or update your directives. A clear plan can be prepared efficiently with proper guidance.
