Broward County Advance Healthcare Directive Lawyer

If you are a Florida resident who wants to plan ahead for your future healthcare, you may want to consider creating an advance healthcare directive. An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes and preferences regarding your medical treatment and appoint someone to make decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. An advance healthcare directive can give you peace of mind and ensure that your values and beliefs are respected in case of a serious illness or injury. It can also help your family and healthcare providers avoid confusion and conflict when faced with difficult choices. Contact a seasoned Broward County advance healthcare directive lawyer from The Probate Lawyers today to learn more about how we can assist you.

Should I Hire a Broward County Lawyer to Draft an Advance Healthcare Directive?

Creating an advance healthcare directive is an important and personal decision that requires careful thought and consideration. While you can use online forms or templates to create your own directive, it may be wise to consult an attorney who specializes in estate planning and health care law. A knowledgeable Broward County estate lawyer can help you create an advance healthcare directive that:

• Is clear, valid, and legally binding
• Reflects your unique needs and values
• Addresses any potential issues that may arise with your health
• Is periodically updated and revised as needed to continuously fit your needs

What Makes for a Complete Advance Healthcare Directive?

An advance healthcare directive is a term that encompasses different types of documents that relate to your healthcare. In Florida, there are three main types of advance healthcare directives:

• Living wills: In a living will, you can state your wishes regarding life-prolonging procedures, such as artificial nutrition and hydration, mechanical ventilation, or CPR, if you have a terminal condition, an end-stage condition, or are in a persistent vegetative state. A living will can help you avoid unwanted or futile treatments that may prolong your suffering or reduce your quality of life.
• Healthcare surrogate designation: In a healthcare surrogate designation, you can name another person as your agent or representative to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. You can give your surrogate broad or limited authority over your health care, and you can include specific instructions or preferences about any aspect of your medical treatment. You can also name an alternate surrogate in case your primary surrogate is unavailable or unwilling to act.
• Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST): By creating a POLST, you give medical providers with additional guidance for your care in times of a medical crisis. A POLST is based on your goals and values and reflects the type and level of treatment you want or do not want in various situations. A POLST is signed by both you and your physician and becomes part of your medical record.

You can choose to complete one, two, or all three of these documents, depending on your situation and preferences. However, you should make sure that they are consistent with each other and reflect your current wishes.

Contact The Probate Lawyers

If you are interested in creating an advance healthcare directive, contact our Broward County firm today. The Probate Lawyers is comprised of experienced and knowledgeable attorneys who are here to help you protect yourself and your loved ones.