The Importance of Having
an Advance Health Care Directive
As evidenced by the Terry Schiavo case, the legal problems that arise when someone is incapacitated and does not have a living will or advance health care directive in place are far more complicated and difficult to deal with than those caused by someone who dies without a will.
At Dugalic & Landau, PC, our lawyers help clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to prevent the legal issues posed by incapacity from becoming problems that their loved ones have to deal with if or when the time should come. To learn more about this absolutely essential estate planning tool — call or contact our firm today to arrange for a free initial consultation.
Choose the kind and level of medical care you want. Do something concrete and important to make life easier on your loved ones in the future. Make a living will or durable power of attorney for health care part of your estate plan today.
Advance Health and Medical Care Directives
Also known as a health care power of attorney or living will, advance health care directives provide guidance about the kind of life-saving medical treatments you do and do not want to receive in the event you become incapable of making decisions for yourself. They are also a way of ensuring that if something should happen — the health care and end-of-life decisions which must be made, will be made with dignity, privacy and in accordance with your wishes.
In addition to an advance health care directive, your estate plan should also include a HIPAA authorization. Essentially, this is a signed medical release that allows hospitals and medical care providers to release vital medical information to a guardian, conservator or any other person you designate. Without access to this information, the individuals you have chosen to make important decisions on your behalf may not be able to make the right decisions regarding your care.
Other Considerations
Another type of durable power of attorney you may want to consider in your estate plan is the financial power of attorney. This tool allows you to designate someone to make important financial decisions on your behalf in the event that an accident or illness leaves you incapacitated and unable to make them for yourself.
We offer free initial consultations, speak Serbian, Croatian, Russian and French and maintain Philadelphia area offices in Upper Darby and Conshohocken, as well as a Mount Laurel, New Jersey, office. Schedule a free consultation today by calling us locally at 610-624-4634, toll free at 1-888-309-6712, or by sending us a brief e-mail message.
