Advance Directives in Montgomery County Living Wills
If you have specific wishes that you would like carried out in the event you are incapacitated, you may be able to express them in an advance directive. Advance directives in Montgomery County living wills can cover wishes such as pain management, directions for life support, and funeral plans. An experienced wills attorney can help you identify what decisions are important to you and express them clearly in a living will.
What is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive is a document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding end of life decisions. It makes declarations about whether they want artificially administered procedures such as hydration, nutrition, medications, or procedures for comfort. Sometimes, it also mentions funeral or burial wishes.
In terms of estate planning, an advance directive outlines a person’s wishes when they are not deceased but are incapacitated. Advance directive documents should be honored and given to the attending doctor or medical professional who is treating the patient. If there is any language that suggests the agent can make a decision that is in the best interest of the patient, that decision could be valid. Ultimately, the provisions of the document govern the treatment and care of the individual and those wishes should be carried out by the agent.
Examples of What May Be Included
In terms of medical intervention, most people make statements in a living will about whether they want artificially administered food and water to be given. Other measures are medical procedures and the administration of medicines for comfort purposes or to alleviate pain.
Some people want to avoid burials and specify that they want their remains to be cremated in an advance directive. Other people have specific religious practices that they want to be incorporated in terms of their burial or service. An attorney can further explain what directives may be included in a living will.
Deciding Who Can Make Medical Decisions in Montgomery County
If a medical professional is requesting a decision be made by a family member, the doctor or medical staff can determine whether the individual has a medical power of attorney, an advance directive, or other similar documents. If none are available, the doctor looks to the next of kin or makes decisions that do not require having a document in place.
If a person is temporarily incapacitated, it is expected that they will eventually regain capacity and be able to make decisions for themselves. A permanent incapacity is when a person is not expected to ever regain capacity or make decisions about their treatments. To better understand how the types of incapacitation may affect a medical directive in Montgomery County, it may be beneficial to speak with a well-versed attorney.
Ask an Attorney About Advance Directives in Montgomery County Living Wills
Advance directives in Montgomery County living wills can help you make sure your wishes are carried out in the event that you are incapacitated. To better understand what directives may be included in a living will, reach out today to speak with a knowledgeable attorney.