3 Simple Steps to Ensure Your Advance Directives are Ready When You Need Them

1. Create Your Advance Directives.

As an estate planning and elder law firm, we believe everyone should have an advance directive. It is a written statement of your wishes for medical care. It (1) states what treatments you want or don’t want if you have a serious medical condition; (2) states who you want to make your healthcare decisions if you are incapacitated; (3) gives that person the right to talk to your doctors and get your medical records so they can be fully aware of your medical situation when they are making your decisions for you.  An advance directive is also known as a Health Care Power of Attorney or Patient Advocate Designation.

If you don’t have an Advance Directive in place, then when you become incapacitated, your loved ones will have to petition the court to establish Guardianship for you before they have legal authority to make your medical decisions.

2. Make Sure Your Loved Ones Have Access to Them.

Even if you have an Advance Directive then you need to make sure people know where it is. Are your documents stored in a safe? Your safe deposit boxes? On your computer? Have you shared the location, key, file name or password needed to access them? If they are in a safe, do your loved ones know the combination? Without accessibility, these documents are as valuable as the paper they are written on.

You can also give a copy to your nominated agent and your physicians. You can also keep a copy in your glove box or purse in case of an emergency.

In addition to creating an Advance Directive, making sure your agents know where the Advance Directive is, and making sure they can access the Advance Directive, you should also discuss your wishes with your loved ones and agents, especially regarding end-of-life care preferences. Initiating this conversation can be challenging, but it’s essential. We are here to support you in navigating these discussions effectively.

3. Store Them with Readily Accessible Access in Docubank.

Moreover, we are excited to announce our partnership with DocuBank, a trusted service for securely storing and accessing critical legal and healthcare documents. Through this collaboration, we can assist you in setting up your DocuBank account, ensuring that your advance directives are securely stored and readily available in emergencies.

As a special offer, new estate planning clients will receive one year of DocuBank membership for free. By enrolling with DocuBank through our firm, you will receive a wallet-sized card containing emergency contact information and instructions for accessing your documents promptly. This partnership underscores our commitment to empowering you with comprehensive estate planning solutions, giving you peace of mind knowing your wishes will be honored when they are needed most.  You can read more about Docubank on their website here.

Opening up about your advance directives not only ensures your wishes are known but also brings families closer together and alleviates potential burdens in the future. Let’s start this important conversation together and take proactive steps to safeguard your future with confidence and security. Please use the “Contact Us Now” form at the bottom of this page, text us, or call us at 989-872-5601 to get started.