Advance directives give you control over medical decisions when you cannot speak for yourself. They reduce confusion for loved ones, align care with your values, and offer a roadmap for clinicians and families. Proper preparation supports timely treatment, avoids unnecessary hospitalizations, and simplifies transitions during difficult times.
A holistic plan provides consistent instructions across medical settings, reducing conflicting advice and ensuring your wishes are followed even as circumstances change.
Our estate planning team brings clear guidance, practical strategies, and local Maryland experience to help you build durable directives and integrated plans.
When updates are needed, we manage reexecution, redistribution of copies, and notification to your care team.
An advance healthcare directive captures your medical treatment preferences and designates someone you trust to speak for you if you cannot. Living wills focus on end-of-life care, while a healthcare agent can make ongoing medical decisions on your behalf. Together, these documents ensure your wishes guide care when you are unable to communicate. They also reduce family conflict by providing clear instructions.
Choose someone who knows your values, can stay calm under pressure, and is willing to rigidly follow your instructions. Practical considerations include geographic proximity, health literacy, and your agent’s ability to manage healthcare decisions across different facilities. It’s wise to discuss expectations with the person before naming them formally.
Living wills outline the types of treatments you want or refuse in specific medical scenarios. They help clinicians respect your choices and prevent unwanted interventions. However, living wills are most effective when paired with a durable power of attorney for healthcare to cover decisions when you cannot speak for yourself.
Yes. You can revise your directives at any time as long as you follow the formal execution requirements. We recommend reviewing documents after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or changes in health status, and re-signing with proper witnesses or notarization.
Store the originals in a safe but accessible location and provide copies to your healthcare agent, primary doctor, hospital, and an emergency contact. Portable copies on your phone or wallet card help responders locate your directives quickly during emergencies.
Without directives, medical decisions may default to default treatment protocols or court-appointed guardians. This can delay care and may not reflect your preferences. Having directives reduces uncertainty and helps your loved ones act confidently on your behalf.
Costs vary by complexity and provider, but many clients find that investing in professional guidance saves money and stress later by preventing miscommunication and ensuring validity. We offer clear pricing and a transparent process with options tailored to your needs.
Yes. End-of-life decisions are a core part of many directives, including preferences about resuscitation, ventilation, and comfort-focused care. A comprehensive plan aligns these choices with your broader estate plan and personal values.
We recommend reviewing directives at least every couple of years or after significant life changes such as illness, marriage, divorce, or relocation. Regular reviews help ensure accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with current laws and personal wishes.
Most directives are recognized across states, but requirements can vary. When possible, keep documents portable, share with out-of-state physicians, and consider state-specific forms or guardianship rules to ensure recognition wherever you receive care.
