Skilled Counsel For Advance Health Care Directives In San Jose
The decision to prepare for unforeseen medical situations with an advance health care directive is a profound act of care for both yourself and your loved ones. Attorney Richard Wingerden understands the emotional weight of these decisions and is here to provide the guidance and support you need.
With over 20 years of experience in the field of estate planning and trust administration, Mr. Wingerden is committed to understanding your unique situation. He offers personalized legal solutions designed to simplify the process and align closely with your family’s needs. The Law Offices Of Richard Wingerden, based in San Jose, prioritizes your goals and serves the broader Bay Area with dedication and professionalism.
An Advance Health Care Directive Is An Essential Aspect Of Every Estate Plan
An advance health care directive is a crucial document in estate planning, enabling you to express your wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where you might be unable to communicate. It covers decisions about life support, resuscitation and specific medical treatments. Including a durable power of attorney in your directive allows you to designate a health care proxy to make decisions on your behalf, ensuring that your medical preferences are respected even when you cannot articulate them.
Navigating the complexities of health care decisions requires experienced legal counsel. Attorney Wingerden, a seasoned advance health care directive lawyer, ensures that your wishes are clearly articulated and legally sound, providing peace of mind that your health care will align with your values and preferences.
How Does An Advanced Healthcare Directive Differ From A Power Of Attorney?
An advanced healthcare directive specifically relates to medical decisions and treatments, whereas a power of attorney can be broader and include financial decisions and other personal concerns. However, within the scope of an advanced healthcare directive, you can appoint a healthcare power of attorney, a person who will make healthcare decisions on your behalf based on the guidelines you have set in your directive.
Who Should Have An Advanced Healthcare Directive?
Everyone over the age of 18 should consider having an advanced healthcare directive. Illness and accidents can happen at any age, and having this directive ensures that your healthcare preferences are known and respected, regardless of your health status. At The Law Offices Of Richard Wingerden, attorney Wingerden provides young adult estate planning packages and can help you set up an advanced healthcare directive that protects your wishes and decisions.
What Should I Include In My Healthcare Directive?
Your healthcare directive should include your preferences for end-of-life care, including mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes and resuscitation. You should also include your preferences for pain management, comfort care and any treatments you would refuse. It will also include the name of your healthcare power of attorney and instructions for organ donation, if desired.
What Is The Process For Creating An Advanced Healthcare Directive?
To create an advanced healthcare directive, you should consult with a lawyer who has experience in healthcare directives and estate planning to ensure that your document is legally sound and reflects your wishes accurately. The directive needs to be signed, dated and typically witnessed or notarized to be legally valid. At NAPFIRM, attorney Wingerden can help you with every step of the process and provide the guidance you need to feel comfortable in your decisions.
Can I Change My Advanced Healthcare Directive?
You can change or revoke your advanced healthcare directive at any time throughout your life, as long as you have the mental capacity to do so. It is a good practice to review your directive periodically and after any major life changes, such as marriage, divorce or the diagnosis of a serious illness, to ensure that it still reflects your current wishes.
Who Should I Inform About My Advanced Healthcare Directive?
After creating your advanced healthcare directive, you should inform your healthcare power of attorney, family members and your primary care physician about your advanced healthcare directive. It is also advisable to provide copies to these individuals and to keep a copy in a place where it can be easily accessed in an emergency.
Who Makes Medical Decisions If You Are Incapacitated?
In the event that you cannot make medical decisions for yourself, having an advance health care directive in place is essential. This document specifies who will make decisions on your behalf, typically a trusted family member or friend appointed as your health care proxy. This preemptive measure relieves your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions during emotional times.
Who Is Next Of Kin For Medical Decisions In California?
In California, if no advance health care directive is in place, the health care provider will turn to your closest relative, your next of kin, to make medical decisions on your behalf. This typically includes your spouse, adult children, parents or siblings. Establishing an advance health care directive provides clarity and ensures that the person making decisions is someone you trust implicitly.
Take Control Of Your Medical Future
Do not leave your medical decisions to chance. Contact The Law Offices Of Richard Wingerden today at 408-273-8239 or fill out an online contact form to schedule a free consultation with advance health care directive lawyer, Richard Wingerden.