Health Care Advance Directives

Health Care Advance Directives can be an important part of your Estate Plan. All competent adults in the United States have the legal right to refuse unwanted medical treatment. We all want to manage our own medical affairs; by the same token, we all worry about the day that we might be unable to do so because of age, illness or disability.

A living will spells out your wishes for treatment or care in the event you are unable to speak for yourself and are terminally ill or permanently unconscious. It only applies when death is imminent.

A durable medical power of attorney appoints an agent — someone you trust and have confided in — to weigh the medical facts and circumstances and make health care decisions on your behalf.

In addition, you can execute a directive stating that Cardio pulmonary Resuscitation not be administered by emergency medical service personnel. You can indicate anatomical gifts. In the absence of any directives, your family and friends can select a “proxy” decision-maker to make limited medical treatment decisions on your behalf.

Health care advance directives can be very difficult for individuals and families to discuss. We have worked with many individuals and families to evaluate medical options and facilitate communications on this highly sensitive subject.

By law, agents appointed by powers of attorney must act in the best interest of the protected person and are responsible for certain duties. If you are in this position, we can help you fulfill your responsibilities. Our litigators can defend you if your actions are challenged or contested.

We work closely with you and your family, public and private benefits providers, employers, business partners, professional services providers, fiduciaries and charitable organizations to make sure that your health care advance directives – as an important part of your Estate Plan – meet your unique personal and financial objectives.

Attorneys

Robert L. Sagrillo |Henry. M. kohnlein

info@sagrillokohnlein.com