Why Should You Have a Medical Directive?

 Posted on December 13, 2023 in Estate Planning and Probate

Estate planning involves preparing for what happens to your assets and medical care if you become incapacitated or pass away. An important but often overlooked aspect of an estate plan is having a medical directive in place. This legal document goes by other names like a living will or advance healthcare directive. A Texas lawyer can make sure your estate planning is done properly with the proper documents.

Protect Your Wishes if Unable to Speak for Yourself

The primary purpose of a medical directive is to put into writing what medical treatments or life-prolonging interventions you would or would not want. This includes things like CPR, breathing tubes, feeding tubes, dialysis, and more. You can specify under what conditions or how long you would want each treatment. With clear guidance, your family may be able to decide or disagree on end-of-life care for you if you can voice your preferences.

Avoid Family Disputes and Guilt

Unfortunately, families do not always see eye-to-eye on medical care for an incapacitated loved one. Appointing a specific person in a medical directive to make decisions for you can help alleviate conflict. Family members will also have an easier time supporting choices you documented previously versus feeling responsible for making tough calls on their own. This can bring them comfort rather than guilt down the road.

Select the Decision Maker You Trust

A vital piece of a medical directive is naming an agent or surrogate decision-maker who will speak on your behalf. This should be someone you trust who understands your beliefs, values, and wishes. As healthcare proxies, they will need to interpret treatment instructions in your document and determine how you would decide on any specifics not covered. Without assigning an agent, medical providers may defer these choices to your next of kin, which could be a person you would not want making such important decisions for you.

Contact a Wilson County, TX Estate Planning Attorney

Given how easily any adult can lose decision-making capacity, having a current medical directive is a wise choice for your preferences, family, and estate plan. Working with a Comal County, TX estate planning lawyer ensures your document meets all legal requirements in Texas. Revisiting it periodically as your health changes will also keep it relevant. Call Geoff Mayfield, Attorney at Law at 210-535-0870 for a free consultation to make sure you have everything in order.