Kennewick Living Wills & Advance Directives Lawyers
As you age, you still have the right to make certain decisions for yourself, particularly those surrounding your health. Unfortunately, many people become incapacitated at some time in their life and they are no longer able to make those important decisions for themselves. Below, our Kennewick living wills & advance directives lawyer outlines what you need to know about these important documents.
What are Advance Directives?
An advance directive is a legal document that stipulates your preferences for healthcare in the event that you cannot communicate these wishes for yourself. As their name suggests, you create these documents ‘in advance’ so your relatives, friends, and healthcare providers understand the type of medical treatment you want to receive, and that which you do not want to receive.
An unexpected event can occur at any age, so advance directives are important for any adult to create. Contrary to what many people think, advance directives are not reserved for older individuals.
Types of Advance Directives
There are many different types of advance directives you can create. The most common of these are as follows:
- Living wills: A living will can stipulate what medical treatment and healthcare measures you do and do not want if you are ever in a situation that is life and death. Your living will can be very specific and include instructions for dialysis in the event that your kidneys stop functioning, a ventilator if you can no longer breathe on your own, to receive CPR if your heart stops beating or you can no longer breathe on your own, or to be fed through a tube if you cannot eat or drink by yourself. Living wills are vastly different from last will and testaments.
- Durable power of attorney for healthcare: A durable power of attorney for healthcare is a document that will name one individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. That person is your proxy or healthcare agent. Durable power of attorneys are also sometimes known as medical powers of attorney. This document is not the same as a financial power of attorney, which authorizes another person to make financial decisions on your behalf in the event that you become incapacitated.
- Do Not Resuscitate: Through a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ order, indicates that you do not want life-saving measures, such as CPR, to be performed if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. These orders are also referred to as DNRs and while you are not required to have one, you can ask your medical provider to include one in your chart. The healthcare professionals dedicated to your care will continue to keep you comfortable if you have a DNR in place.
Our Living Wills/Advance Directives Lawyer in Kennewick Can Create Your Documents
If you have not yet made plans as to what will happen if you cannot make decisions for yourself one day, our Kennewick living wills/advance directives lawyer at Moulton Law Offices, P.S. can advise on your case. Our seasoned attorney can help you determine which type of advance directive you need and draft one that will ensure you and your future are protected. Call us now at 1-509-328-2150, #9090 to book an appointment with our attorney and to learn more about how we can help.
