Many people think of estate planning as a way to protect their loved ones after they die. That is one of the most important functions an estate plan can fulfill, but it is far from the only one. People can also establish plans ahead of time to protect themselves from medical emergencies that could cause incapacity.
Temporary incapacitation may render an individual incapable of expressing their preferences to others and managing their own affairs. Testators putting estate plans together can establish advance health care directives. These documents are among the most important estate planning documents that people can draft.
Advance directives take pressure off of families
In an emergency scenario, family members often panic. They aren’t sure what steps to take next. When health care professionals ask them to make decisions about medical care or anatomical gifts, they may have a hard time making a choice.
Even if the incapacitated person expressed their preferences at length, it can be difficult to recall that information while under intense stress. Family members don’t have to feel anxious when they have an advance directive to reference. It includes clear explanations of an individual’s medical preferences so that family members can feel confident about the choices they make.
People can choose their own agents
Designating a specific individual to make health care decisions can be important during times of incapacitation. The standard advance health care directive document used in California allows the testator or principal drafting the document to select someone other than a spouse to make decisions about their medical care.
Medical power of attorney can be crucial in an emergency. It also helps take the pressure off of immediate family members, including spouses, who may struggle to assert themselves in an emergency scenario. Particularly in situations where close loved ones may feel conflicted about medical preferences, the right agent can make all the difference.
Most people establishing an estate plan benefit from expanding it to address medical emergencies as well. Those preparing for retirement or coming to terms with a recent medical diagnosis may have an additional incentive to address their future medical support needs. Adding an advance health care directive to an estate plan can be a smart decision for people in a variety of circumstances.