These documents ensure your medical wishes guide treatment decisions, reduce confusion for family members, and protect your autonomy even when you cannot speak for yourself. Living wills specify end-of-life preferences, while durable powers of attorney for health care appoint a trusted agent to act on your behalf.
By aligning directives with estate plans, trusts, and guardianship options, you create a cohesive strategy that protects dignity, preserves autonomy, and supports loved ones when decisions must be made.
Hatcher Legal, PLLC brings practical guidance, transparent pricing, and a client-focused approach to advance directives and living wills. We tailor documents to Maryland requirements, ensure your goals are clearly stated, and provide ongoing support as your life and laws evolve.
When your circumstances change, we update directives, powers of attorney, and related forms to ensure consistency. You will receive revised copies, and we will guide you through the signing and storage steps.
An advance directive records your medical preferences and designates a health care proxy. It helps clinicians honor your wishes even when you cannot speak, and it provides your loved ones with clear guidance during stressful moments. We tailor directives to Maryland requirements, review with you for accuracy, and ensure copies reach your medical team and trusted agents. With thoughtful planning, you exercise control over future care and reduce family conflict.
Choosing a health care proxy is an important step. Pick someone who knows you well, communicates effectively with medical teams, and shares your values. Discuss the responsibilities openly to prevent confusion later. Document the appointment clearly in your directives and inform the proxy about your preferences. Provide alternate agents and update contact details so there is always a trusted person ready when decisions are needed.
Maryland requires formalities to validate advance directives, including the signing requirements and the presence of witnesses in many cases. Notarization may be recommended or required depending on the document type and county rules, so it’s important to follow current state guidance. We help ensure your documents meet Maryland requirements, coordinating witnesses, notaries, and storage so they are enforceable when most needed. By following proper steps, you reduce the risk of challenges to your directives.
Update after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, relocation, or significant health changes. Even when nothing has changed, periodic reviews help ensure the documents still reflect your wishes and that your agent remains appropriate. We guide you through the update process, re-signing when required, and distributing revised copies to trusted parties, medical providers, and family members, so everyone stays informed and the record reflects current wishes.
Yes. You can amend directives at any time while you have capacity. The most recent version generally controls, and you should revoke earlier copies to avoid confusion. Keep signed amendments with medical and legal files and review updates with your attorney to confirm continued accuracy.
The health care agent makes medical decisions when you cannot. They must follow your directives, consult with clinicians, and act in your best interests. This role can be durable and ongoing. Choosing two alternates provides a safety net if the primary agent is unavailable. Discuss expectations to minimize conflict.
No, advance directives and healthcare proxies are separate from a will, but they operate alongside it to guide medical decisions and end-of-life care. They remain in effect even after death. Keep all documents in a secure place and share copies with your attorney for estate planning. Review if you move.
Conflict arises when directives contradict living will language or when updates are not in sync. In such cases, your health care proxy and medical team should follow the most recent, clearly stated wishes. We help harmonize documents through careful review, amendments, and ensuring consistent language across directives to prevent conflicts.
Store originals in a secure, easily accessible location, with copies provided to your health care proxy, medical team, and your attorney. Consider digital backups with encryption and a trusted person who can retrieve them. We can advise on secure storage options and help you distribute copies during changes for ongoing accessibility.
Costs vary by complexity, number of documents, and whether you require updates or ongoing consultations. We provide transparent pricing up front, either during your first visit or in a written estimate. Consider bundled estate planning services and long-term planning value to fit your budget.
