Having a directive ensures your healthcare choices are honored even when you cannot speak for yourself. It reduces family conflict, streamlines medical decisions, and supports clinicians in delivering care aligned with your goals. Our attorneys help you implement durable powers of attorney and living wills that adapt to changing health needs.
A unified directive set reduces mixed messages among hospitals, doctors, and family. Consistency helps clinicians apply your preferences precisely, even when you are in unfamiliar care environments or traveling between facilities.
We blend responsive client service with clear legal expertise to create durable, enforceable directives. Our approach focuses on understanding your goals, explaining options in plain language, and delivering documents that stand up to review by medical teams and institutions.
Life events and health changes require updates. We offer periodic reviews and assist with revisions to keep your directives accurate and enforceable.
An advance directive is a legal document that expresses your health care choices in advance. It helps ensure your wishes are known even when you cannot speak. It may include a health care proxy and a living will to guide medical decisions. Understanding its scope helps you plan effectively.
A healthcare proxy should be someone you trust to understand your values and advocate for your preferences. It is wise to choose an alternate proxy in case the primary is unavailable. Discuss expectations with your chosen person and your medical team to ensure alignment.
Yes. You can revise directives as your circumstances or preferences change. Updates should be properly executed with witnesses or notarization as required, and shared with your primary physician and family. Regular reviews help keep your plan current and enforceable.
Maryland generally requires proper execution that may involve witnesses or notarization. Some documents can be recognized with proper signatures and medical facility policies. We guide you through the exact requirements to ensure your directives hold up under scrutiny.
Store original documents in a secure, accessible place and provide copies to your proxies, physicians, and family. Keep digital backups and confirm accessibility within hospital systems. Regularly verify contact information to prevent delays during emergencies.
If incapacity occurs, your named proxy can make medical decisions within the scope of your directives. The living will guides treatment choices, while the proxy ensures decisions reflect your values and preferred quality of life. Clinicians follow these instructions to guide care.
A living will addresses specific treatment preferences, not the entire distribution of assets or guardianship issues. A will typically handles property after death. Both documents serve different purposes within your overall estate and health care planning framework.
Yes, directives are designed to travel with you across care settings. By naming a proxy and detailing treatment preferences, clinicians in hospitals, clinics, and home care can honor your choices consistently, regardless of location.
Costs vary by complexity and documents needed. We strive to provide clear pricing and options, often with bundled services. Investing in a robust directive plan can prevent costly disputes and ensure your preferences are followed.
The timeline depends on your readiness and document complexity. A typical process ranges from a few days to a few weeks, including drafting, reviewing, and signing. We work with you to fit the schedule to your life and ensure timely completion.
