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LIVING WILL
Customized Approach
(ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTHCARE)
Many people leave instructions to their loved ones regarding steps to take after their death by creating a Will, but neglect to give instructions to their loved ones about how they want to die. What happens if you are unable to communicate your wishes? How can you be sure that the decisions being made regarding the end of your life are in accordance with your wishes? The best way to ensure that you are able to make end-of-life decisions in the event that you are unable to communicate is to create an Advance Directive For Healthcare (formerly called a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney For Healthcare).
A Living Will is a document giving instructions on what end-of-life treatment and medical procedures you want to have available to you. A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a person you select to make decisions regarding your healthcare in the event you cannot (or choose not) to make those decisions.
In 2007, Georgia repealed the laws establishing Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and created a new instrument called an Advance Directive For Healthcare. The Advance Directive For Healthcare combines the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney into one document. If your Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney was created prior to July 1, 2007, it is still valid.
An Advance Directive For Healthcare is your way to take control of your healthcare decisions in the event you are unable to communicate. An Advance Directive For Healthcare allows you to do the following:
Select a Healthcare Agent: This is a person you select to make decisions for you when you cannot (or do not want to) make decisions for yourself. Your healthcare agent can also make decisions after your death regarding organ donation, body donation, and final disposition of your body.
Select Treatment Preferences: In the event that death or a permanent state of unconsciousness is inevitable, you can select your preference for treatment if you are unable to communicate your decisions. You are given the option to use all medical procedures to extend your life as long as possible, allow your natural death to occur, or to choose what medications/procedures/machines you would like to have available to you.
Select a Guardian: If a court decides that you are unable to make responsible decisions regarding your health, safety, and well-being, you can select a person that you would like for the court to appoint as your guardian. A guardian is appointed by the court to make decisions regarding your health, safety, and well-being. The person you choose to be your healthcare agent can be your guardian, or you can choose a different person.
(ADVANCE DIRECTIVE FOR HEALTHCARE)
Many people leave instructions to their loved ones regarding steps to take after their death by creating a Will, but neglect to give instructions to their loved ones about how they want to die. What happens if you are unable to communicate your wishes? How can you be sure that the decisions being made regarding the end of your life are in accordance with your wishes? The best way to ensure that you are able to make end-of-life decisions in the event that you are unable to communicate is to create an Advance Directive For Healthcare (formerly called a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney For Healthcare).
A Living Will is a document giving instructions on what end-of-life treatment and medical procedures you want to have available to you. A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare is a person you select to make decisions regarding your healthcare in the event you cannot (or choose not) to make those decisions.
In 2007, Georgia repealed the laws establishing Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and created a new instrument called an Advance Directive For Healthcare. The Advance Directive For Healthcare combines the Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney into one document. If your Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney was created prior to July 1, 2007, it is still valid.
An Advance Directive For Healthcare is your way to take control of your healthcare decisions in the event you are unable to communicate. An Advance Directive For Healthcare allows you to do the following:
Select a Healthcare Agent: This is a person you select to make decisions for you when you cannot (or do not want to) make decisions for yourself. Your healthcare agent can also make decisions after your death regarding organ donation, body donation, and final disposition of your body.
Select Treatment Preferences: In the event that death or a permanent state of unconsciousness is inevitable, you can select your preference for treatment if you are unable to communicate your decisions. You are given the option to use all medical procedures to extend your life as long as possible, allow your natural death to occur, or to choose what medications/procedures/machines you would like to have available to you.
Select a Guardian: If a court decides that you are unable to make responsible decisions regarding your health, safety, and well-being, you can select a person that you would like for the court to appoint as your guardian. A guardian is appointed by the court to make decisions regarding your health, safety, and well-being. The person you choose to be your healthcare agent can be your guardian, or you can choose a different person.
Making end-of-life decisions is a very personal and challenging process. CLAXTON LAW GROUP, LLC understands the sensitive nature of these decisions and can assist you in making the best decision for you and your loved ones. If you are seeking information regarding Living Wills, Durable Power Of Attorney for Healthcare or Advance Directive For Healthcare contact CLAXTON LAW GROUP today for your free phone consultation. CLAXTON LAW GROUP serves residents of Atlanta, Decatur, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, College Park, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Conyers, Norcross, Smyrna, and surrounding areas.