What Is An Advance Directive Or Living Will?
Everyone over the age of 18 years old has the right to make their own health care decisions. You may designate what type of care or treatment your physicians provide. You may also reject or discontinue any medical treatment.
An advance directive or Living Will Declaration provides a way to communicate your wishes if you become incapacitated and cannot speak for yourself. The document is an essential part of even the simplest of estate plans. A Designation of Health Care Surrogate is a legal instrument where you give authority to a trusted person, your “agent,” to ensure your health care choices for your future care are followed if you cannot give your informed consent due to disability.
What If My Advance Directive Was Signed In Another State?
The state’s physicians will honor advance health care directives that are legal instruments in other states. Do you have an advance directive created in another state? Now is an excellent time to review it, along with all of your estate planning documents, to ensure your legal documents are up-to-date and reflect your current circumstances.
In Florida, there are two types of advance health care directives:
- A Designation of Health Care Surrogate
- A Living Will Declaration
If you do not have an advance directive, your family may have to make health care choices on your behalf. This could be stressful and confusing for them. You may not receive the medical treatment that is in line with your ideals. For example, at the end of their lives, some people wish to sustain their life on support devices; others may not. Some may want pain medication, even though it may hasten their death; others may not. Without a medical directive, your family will be left to make these choices for you.
Do Not Wait To Express Your Wishes. Contact Us Today.
At Brown & Associates Law & Title, P.A., in Tampa, we understand how hard it is can be to talk about end-of-life medical treatment. We believe it is a necessary conversation and best had sooner than later. Our compassionate team is here for you. Call 813-576-3790 or send us an email to make arrangements for a free consultation.