An advance healthcare directive is an important part of an overall estate plan. It serves an important purpose estate planners should be aware of and they should also ensure all of their questions about an advance healthcare directive, and including one in their estate plan, are answered.
An advance healthcare directive provides protection for estate planners if they become incapacitated at any point and are unable to make medical decisions for themselves or direct their medical care and treatment. Additionally, an advance healthcare directive can provide important peace of mind for family members who may not know how their loved one would want to be cared for during what is already a difficult time for them.
Included in the advance healthcare directive is the medical care wishes of the estate planner and it may also specify a person to make medical care decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated and are unable to do so for themselves. There are two types of advance healthcare directives, including living wills and medical powers of attorney, with different rules and requirements associated with them so it is best for estate planners to know what option is available to them in their state. There are also important details associated with when an advance healthcare directive becomes effective estate planners should be familiar with.
Estate planning is an important step in life that should not be overlooked. There are a variety of components to an effective estate plan and an advance healthcare directive can be one of the most important ones that can help both the estate planner and their loved ones rest easy during a challenging time.