Health Care Directive

What Is a Health Care Directive?

A health care directive — sometimes called a living will — is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment if you're unable to communicate them yourself. It covers things like whether you want life-sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition, or other medical interventions in specific situations.

This isn't a fun topic to think about, but it's an incredibly important one. Without a health care directive, your family may be forced to make agonizing decisions about your care with no guidance from you. That can lead to disagreements, guilt, and outcomes that don't reflect what you would have wanted.

What Does a Health Care Directive Cover?

A health care directive typically addresses end-of-life decisions, but it can also cover other medical situations. You can specify your preferences for pain management, organ donation, and more. The goal is to give your medical team and your family a clear picture of your values and wishes so they can honor them.

It's worth noting that a health care directive is different from a health care power of attorney. The directive states your wishes, while the power of attorney designates an attorney-in-fact (agent) to make real-time decisions on your behalf. Ideally, you want both — and many clients pair them with a financial power of attorney as well.

Your health care directive also works alongside HIPAA authorizations to make sure your designated agent can access your medical records and communicate with your health care providers.

Getting Started With The Taormina Firm

Vince makes this process as easy and comfortable as possible. He walks you through the decisions you'll need to make, explains your options in plain language, and drafts a document that clearly communicates your wishes. It's one of the most meaningful things you can do for your family — and it takes less time than you might think. Many clients include a health care directive as part of a broader estate plan or power of attorney plan.