Establishing Plans For Difficult Health Care Decisions
In Missouri, there are two legal instruments that allow you to designate who you want to make medical-related decisions in the event of incapacity — the durable power of attorney for health care, and the advance health care directive or living will:
- Durable power of attorney for health care: Allows you to appoint a trusted person to make medical-related decisions for you if you are unable to communicate with your health care providers.
- Advance health care directive: Commonly known as a living will, this document specifies certain types of treatment you would and would not like to receive in certain situations. Living wills typically address end-of-life and life-sustaining treatment such as medication, feeding tubes and assisted hydration.
Establishing these documents today can spare your family the complications of having to involve probate court to appoint a guardian to make those important health care decisions. Also, consider the wrenching decisions a family member would be faced with if he or she had no direction to go on but his or her own intuition. Imagine the contentious disputes that could arise if family members did not agree on a course of action.
Keep Important Decisions In Your Hands
Living wills and health care powers of attorney keep these decisions in your hands, even when you are no longer able to communicate your wishes. At Lisha A. Seery, LLC, in Springfield, we can help you establish all of the elder care legal documents you need to protect your loved ones from future uncertainty and disputes regarding your medical treatment.
An Experienced Lawyer Can Help Create Your Advance Directive
With more than 20 years of experience, attorney Lisha Prater Seery can answer your questions about elder law and help you fulfill all of your estate planning needs. Call us today at 417-459-4390 to arrange a consultation or complete our convenient online form to email us.