Having advance directives and living wills reduces uncertainty for families, guides medical teams, and helps ensure your wishes are honored during critical moments. They can prevent unnecessary interventions, minimize disputes among loved ones, and reduce the need for guardianship or court involvement. Thoughtful planning also preserves autonomy and makes difficult decisions easier for those you trust.
This benefit provides unambiguous instructions that apply to routine treatments, major procedures, and unexpected events, helping families and clinicians act in line with your stated priorities.
Choosing our firm means working with attorneys who understand the local laws, healthcare settings, and family dynamics in Seagate, New Hanover County, and the broader state.
Store copies in a safe location and provide readily accessible versions to your healthcare proxy, primary physician, and trusted family members.
An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that records your treatment preferences and designates a person to make medical decisions if you cannot communicate. It may include an appointment for a healthcare proxy and specifics about interventions you want or refuse. This document helps ensure your care aligns with your values even when you cannot speak for yourself.
An advance directive is a broad term that covers medical decision-making documents, including a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. A living will specifies the types of medical interventions you want or decline in certain situations, while an advance directive may designate who makes decisions for you and under what conditions.
Choose someone you trust to understand your values and communicate clearly with medical teams. Common choices include a close family member or a trusted friend; consider alternates in case your first pick is unavailable.
Yes. You can update directives as your health, beliefs, or family circumstances evolve. Keep copies current and notify your healthcare proxy and physicians when changes occur.
Bring any existing directives, medical history, current medications, and lists of who to contact in emergencies. If you do not have documents yet, we provide a checklist and guide you through the drafting process.
Yes. Healthcare directives are confidential medical records protected by HIPAA, with rules about sharing information with your designated agents. We ensure your documents clearly name who may receive information and how privacy rights apply.
Timeline varies by complexity, but most clients complete documents within a few weeks after reviewing drafts. Delays can occur if you need more time to decide on an agent or if additional healthcare matters require attention.
If you lose capacity, your named agent or proxy should assume decision-making responsibilities according to your directives. Hospitals typically follow these documents, ensuring your stated preferences guide care until you regain capacity or a guardian is appointed.
Directives generally remain valid when you travel within the United States, but some states may have different requirements. It’s wise to carry copies and inform out-of-state providers of your directives and designated agents.
Costs vary by the complexity of your plan and the number of documents drafted, but many clients find bundled packages affordable. We offer transparent pricing and can tailor services to fit your needs, with no hidden fees.
