Why You Should Have an Advanced Health Care Directive

Life is filled with twists and turns that no one can expect. So while it may be more comfortable to assume that nothing will ever happen to you and go through life hoping for the best, it is vital to be prepared.

Nobody wants to talk about the frightening conversations of lying in a hospital bed and having to choose life or death. But, your loved ones will be so grateful that you prepared for the unexpected by setting up an advanced health care directive.

3 Reasons to Set Up an Advanced Health Care Directive

You must be at least 18 years of age to set up an advanced health care directive. Here are some reasons why we, as Estate Planning attorneys in Temecula, stress its importance:

  1. Instructions for Care: Specify what you would like when it comes to health care decisions if you are not in the position to make the decisions yourself. Your health care directive can include a living will and a medical power of attorney. Also, you can outline your beliefs on artificial feeding, breathing tubes, experimental treatments, and pain management. You can keep your document as detailed or broad as you like. Choose your medical power of attorney carefully, thinking of someone who would keep a level head through an unexpected accident.
  2. Leave Notes for Loved Ones After Death or Incapacitation: You can also use an advanced directive to let your family know you would like organs donated or have ideas for your funeral arrangements. Your family will be so grateful for any wishes that are specified in the document, so they are not left guessing.
  3. Prepare for the Unexpected: You may think of someone setting up an advanced directive because they are aging into their golden years of life. But the truth is, everyone should be prepared with plans for the unexpected. Of course, no one expects an accident or illness to happen. But when you have your advanced directive in place, you can save your family from loads of stress.

It is essential to set up an advanced directive whether you are 19 or 84 years old. Don’t put it off any longer; prepare for the unknown by meeting with the Estate Planning attorneys at Shoup Legal. You don’t want to leave your family wondering what you would’ve wanted if something happened to you. Give us a call at (951) 445-4114 or email [email protected] to start planning today for peace of mind tomorrow.