Having advance directives minimizes court involvement and protects autonomy by ensuring your medical preferences are known and accessible. It clarifies roles, reduces family conflict, and supports rapid, patient-centered decisions in emergencies. A well drafted plan also offers peace of mind to you and those who care for you.
With a comprehensive plan, medical teams receive clear instruction, reducing guesswork and ensuring decisions match your stated goals.
We work with individuals and families to create clear directives that stand up to medical and legal scrutiny. Our approach is practical, compassionate, and focused on achieving your goals while minimizing family stress.
We help you store originals in a safe place and distribute copies to trusted relatives and medical providers for immediate accessibility.
An advance directive is a written document that records your medical treatment preferences for emergencies when you cannot communicate. It may designate a health care agent to advocate for you and can include your values, goals, and consent for specific procedures. In Maryland, you must follow state forms and witnessing requirements to ensure validity. Keeping copies accessible to family and providers helps ensure your choices are honored across care settings.
Choose a healthcare proxy who understands your values and can communicate clearly with doctors. This person should be reliable, emotionally prepared for medical decisions, and willing to advocate for your wishes even if they differ from others in the family. Consider discussing the role with them before naming them in a directive.
Moving to Maryland may require updating your directives to reflect state law and available forms. A local attorney can help you adjust the documents so they remain valid, recognize your current medical preferences, and coordinate with any existing documents from your previous state.
Yes, living wills are recognized in Maryland as part of a comprehensive advance directive package. They guide decision makers on end of life care and preferred interventions. Proper execution and storage ensure doctors and family members understand your wishes when you cannot communicate.
Bring any existing medical directives, powers of attorney, and lists of medications. Also bring a government ID, physician contact information, and a summary of your medical history. This helps the attorney tailor directives to your situation and ensures consistency with other estate planning documents.
The timeline depends on your choices and how quickly you complete forms. A typical process includes an initial consult, drafting, review, and execution, often taking a few weeks. We aim to complete the package efficiently while ensuring accuracy and compliance with Maryland requirements.
Yes. You can update directives at any time as your health, goals, or family circumstances change. Simply contact your attorney to revise the documents and reexecute them according to state rules, then distribute updated copies to your care team.
Witnesses and notarization are part of ensuring a directive is enforceable. Requirements vary by document type, so an attorney helps you meet each requirement. Proper witnessing and notarization minimize challenges to your directives later on.
Most directives are designed to apply across care settings, including hospitals and long term care facilities. Providing a clear proxy and explicit treatment preferences helps medical teams honor your wishes regardless of where you receive care.
Store originals in a safe, accessible location and give copies to your healthcare proxy, family members, and your primary care physician. Keeping digital backups can also help ensure availability for providers during emergencies.
