An advanced care directive is a relatively new type of document. It is authorized by State law, and allows you to appoint an agent to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them for yourself. It also contains end of life care directives.
The advanced care directive takes the place of the traditional Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will. Many doctor’s offices and hospitals will hand you hundreds of confusing forms and ask you to sign them, so it is important to remember that most doctors and health care administrators do not really understand all the legal implication. It is therefore important to talk to your lawyer about these forms.
There is a second level of an Advanced Health Care Directive that can be signed which directs emergency care providers, such as EMTs and First Responders, not to provide emergency care like CPR, oxygen, fluid, etc. There are a few tragic cases where individuals unknowingly signed this type of form. An advance directive requiring health care providers not to provide help should only be signed after careful consideration and at the end of life. If you have a debilitating illness or your health has declined to a point that you don’t want any further care, this may be something you want to consider. However, it is not necessarily appropriate for a healthy person to sign one. Always consult an attorney before signing forms relinquishing health care options.
The Astill Law Office has provided high quality legal services for over 30 years. We specialize in wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. If you have any questions about creating a Trust, Will, or estate planning in general, contact The Astill Law Office at 801-438-8698.