Advanced Health Care Directives

A Health Care Directive to Physicians is also known as a "Living Will." This document makes known your desires regarding life-sustaining treatment when you are dying. The Heath Care Directive to Physicians is used if you are diagnosed to be in a terminal condition, or a permanent unconscious condition. With this estate planning tool, you decide whether you do or do not want to be provided with artificial hydration, nutrition and ventilation if you are diagnosed to be in a terminal condition or in a permanent unconscious condition.

The primary reason you should have an Advanced Health Care Directive is to inform your family and loved ones of your wishes if you are ever on life support. You have probably read at least one story in the news about a family feud surrounding whether to remove or continue life support for a family member. When you sign an Advanced Health Care Directive as one of your estate plan documents, you decide to what extent you want life support measures implemented on your behalf. By signing an Advanced Health Care Directive, you relieve your family of the heavy burden of deciding for you, give your family clarity about your wishes, and help avoid family conflict.