Knowledgeable Health Care Directives Attorney Serving Minnesota Families
A Health Care Directive is a document that outlines how you want to be cared for in the event of a medical illness or injury that leaves you unable to communicate your wishes. It allows you to decide who will speak on your behalf and what actions can be taken in an emergency. You must be at least 18 years of age to authorize a Health Care Directive. Though we hope you’ll never need it, it is an important part of estate planning that everyone should have in place.
What Can Health Care Directives Do?
If you get hurt or your mental state deteriorates, you likely already have an idea for what you would want to happen to you. Health Care Directives clearly state these wishes so your family and health care professionals know how to proceed. Common aspects of Health Care Directives include, but certainly are not limited to:
- Who is authorized to make medical decisions for you
- Life extending measures or Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNRs)
- Specific health care facilities in which you agree to be treated
- Specific treatments you are comfortable receiving
- Pregnancy instructions
- Funeral arrangements
What Does a Health Care Directive Look Like?
As the above and brief points show, Health Care Directives can be as specific and detailed or as broad as you wish. For some people, advanced planning for every possible situation puts them at ease, while others are satisfied simply designating a trusted loved one to make the calls. Either way, Health Care Directives allow you to maintain control even in the most unthinkable circumstances.
Let Us Help You Plan Ahead
At Waldron Law Offices, Ltd. we like to know our clients will be taken care of according to their wishes no matter what arises. We help our clients draft the proper documentation to ensure this happens, and want you to know that planning for the future is a smart investment in your and your family’s future. Whatever your estate planning needs are, we’re here to help. You can contact us any time of day — we monitor our telephone seven days a week!
