Let’s face it, no one wants to think about aging and illness. In my recent blog post Procrastination About Your Estate Plan? Me Too, I confessed that although I prepare estate plans for people every day, it took years for my husband and I to finalize our own plan. Conversations about your own mortality aren't exactly fun. But they are necessary.
A key element to any estate plan is a Health Care Directive. It lets you explain what you do or do not want when it comes to medical treatment. It can save your loved ones from the guilt, uncertainty, and conflict that is created when your wishes are not known. Research shows that the most requested legal advice from legal aid is how to deal with end-of-life issues amidst a family crisis. If there is a way to avoid that conflict why not do it?
A study conducted in 2014 and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that out of 7,900 respondents, only about 26% had an Advance Health Care Directive. This despite the fact that most people would choose to direct their own medical care. Your directive allows you to state what type of medical care you want to receive should you become unable to speak for yourself. You are able to state the circumstances in which you want to receive life-sustaining treatments and any limitations on those treatments. You can also appoint a healthcare agent to make healthcare decisions according to your instructions as set forth in the directive. We also include a form for free for you to include cremation or burial instructions.
I can give you the tools to make the best choices and finally get to the business of protecting yourself and your family with a comprehensive estate plan.
Call today to learn more about how you can be prepared. Call (949) 387-8707 or email me today!