Having advance directives and living wills ensures your preferences guide medical care during emergencies or incapacitation. They help families avoid arguments, reduce the risk of unwanted treatments, and accelerate decision making for physicians and proxies. A thoughtful plan reflects your values and provides reassurance that your wishes will be honored.
A single, well organized set of documents reduces confusion for physicians and families, speeding appropriate care decisions and avoiding delays that can worsen outcomes. The directives provide a clear map for care teams to follow regardless of the setting.
With experience in estate planning and healthcare law, our team helps you craft durable directives that reflect values and protect loved ones. We emphasize clear communication, respectful collaboration, and practical results designed to simplify complex decisions.
We provide ongoing support to review your directives periodically and after major life events such as marriage, divorce, relocation, or illness. We also offer updates to keep pace with your values and medical advances always.
An advance directive is a formal document that records your medical care preferences. It helps ensure your choices about resuscitation, hospitalization, and life support are understood by doctors and families, reducing uncertainty during critical moments.\n\nIt also supports families by reducing guesswork and potential conflict, while guiding clinicians to honor your values and avoid treatments you would not have chosen.
You can modify or revoke a directive at any time if you have the capacity to do so. Written revocation should be communicated to your healthcare proxy, doctors, and the attorney who prepared the documents.\nKeep all versions accessible and inform your healthcare proxy and family of updates. Store the latest copy with medical records and share contact details for your attorney so care teams know whom to consult during emergencies and after life changes.
Living wills address preferences for end of life care and specific interventions, but they may not cover every future situation. They work best when paired with a durable power of attorney for healthcare who can interpret values in evolving contexts.\nDiscuss expectations with the person and provide written guidelines to avoid confusion among family members during medical crises.
Choose someone you trust to communicate, stay calm under pressure, and respect your values. The proxy should be available, responsible, and willing to advocate for your preferences when you cannot speak for yourself.\nDiscuss expectations with the person and provide written guidelines to avoid confusion among family members during medical crises.
Documents should be accessible wherever you travel. Keep copies in your wallet or digital wallet, and ensure your healthcare agent knows how to access them through your attorney. This reduces delays and helps clinicians honor your plan.\nCarry emergency contact information and provide a brief summary of your directives to hospitals you visit.
State laws differ, so consulting an attorney familiar with both the state where the directive is created and where it will be used is wise to ensure legality.\nWe tailor documents to meet local requirements and maintain portability for medical care across locations, so care teams respect your wishes wherever you are.
Yes. You can revoke or amend a directive at any time if you have the capacity to do so. Written revocation should be communicated to your healthcare proxy, doctors, and the attorney who prepared the documents.\nKeep a copy of the revocation and ensure all parties have the latest version. This helps prevent confusion during future care.
A separate durable power of attorney for healthcare designates an agent to make medical decisions when you cannot speak. In many cases this document complements a living will and an advance directive.\nOur team reviews your overall plan to determine whether a standalone power of attorney is needed or if combining instruments provides more clarity for medical teams and families alike everywhere.
Documents should be accessible wherever you travel. Bring existing directives and a list of medications, physicians, and care providers. If available, include a preferred hospital or facility. This reduces delays and helps clinicians honor your plan.\nHaving these details helps your healthcare proxy and family explain your goals clearly.
You should review directives after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, relocation, or changes in health. Regular checks help you keep documents up to date.\nIf you encounter new medical options or shifts in values, adjust accordingly and inform all involved parties to maintain alignment for family peace.
