Creating advance directives gives you control over medical treatment, reduces family confusion, and helps healthcare providers honor your values. These documents clarify who makes decisions when you’re unable to communicate, specify life-sustaining treatments you want or decline, and provide peace of mind for loved ones facing challenging choices.
A single, well-drafted set of directives travels with the patient through hospital stays, surgeries, and long-term care. Clinicians appreciate consistent guidance, and families avoid conflicting messages about care preferences during stressful times.
Hatcher Legal, PLLC brings practical estate planning experience to advance directives. We listen to your goals, explain options clearly, and help you create durable documents that withstand life changes and medical complexity in North Carolina.
We advise on whom to give copies, how to store originals, and how to update documents after life changes, ensuring ongoing validity and alignment with your evolving preferences.
A living will records your preferences for medical treatment at the end of life and in specific medical scenarios. A healthcare proxy appoints another person to make decisions for you if you cannot. Both tools serve complementary roles, ensuring your wishes are respected even when you cannot speak for yourself.
Choose someone you trust deeply and who understands your values. Consider their ability to remain calm under pressure, their willingness to follow your wishes, and their knowledge of your medical history. It often helps to discuss your directives with the candidate before naming them.
Yes. Most directives can be revised as life situations change. We recommend regular reviews, especially after major health events, changes in family circumstances, relocation, or updates to state law. We assist with simple amendments or complete rewrites when needed.
North Carolina does not always require notarization for living will documents, but some forms or facilities may accept or prefer it. We guide you through the current requirements and ensure your documents meet the standards of the facilities you may encounter.
If disputes arise, the documents generally prevail if they accurately reflect your stated wishes and were properly executed. We help families navigate misunderstandings, mediate concerns, and provide clarity to healthcare providers to minimize conflict.
Yes. Advanced directives can address capacity concerns by naming a healthcare proxy who acts when you cannot. We craft explicit language to empower your proxy to communicate with medical teams and ensure decisions align with your values during cognitive decline.
Store originals in a safe place and provide copies to your physician, hospital, and designated proxy. We also offer digital backups and instructions for updating or replacing documents to preserve continuity across care settings.
Costs vary with complexity and the number of documents. We provide transparent fee structures during the initial consultation and ensure you understand what is included. Many clients find the investment worthwhile for clarity, legal compliance, and peace of mind.
A typical process takes a few weeks, depending on how quickly you make decisions and how swiftly we finalize signatures. We prioritize timely completion to meet upcoming medical planning needs while ensuring accuracy and full client understanding.
Bring identification, a list of your medications and doctors, your health insurance information, and any existing medical directives. If you already have ideas about treatments or proxies, share them to accelerate drafting and ensure your preferences are captured accurately.
