Advance directives consist of three documents: a living will, a health care power of attorney, and a financial power of attorney. These documents give you the ability to control how medical treatment is given to you, and how your finances are managed, if you can't speak for yourself. Your family may call upon your advance directives should you become incapacitated, become terminally ill, or enter a permanently unconscious state. In your advance directives, you can specify what treatments you do and don't want, state your wishes about life support, and name a health care advocate.
Not having advance directives can put an incredible amount of emotional and financial strain on your family members, who will need to make important decisions about your care if the time comes.
A terminal condition is a serious disease, illness, or injury that cannot be cured or treated. There is no possibility of recovery, and death is likely to occur within a relatively short time if life-sustaining treatment is not administered.
A permanently unconscious state is when the brain has stopped working but the body is still alive. The person cannot feel pain or suffering.
Having advance directives eliminates the risk of resorting to a guardianship should you become incapacitated. This can be a lengthy and costly court process.
You can indeed create your own advance directives. Living will and health care power of attorney forms are available online.
The Franklin County Probate Court has living will and health care power of attorney forms on its website. They also have a mental health directive form, which you may want to consider downloading if you have a family history of dementia, Alzheimer's, or other mental illness.
Be aware, advance directive documents need to be either signed in front of a notary or two disinterested parties. These disinterested parties cannot be related to you, named a power of attorney, or be medical staff at any facility that you are in.
When you are creating your advance directives, it is important to remember that these are only a few of the important documents that make up your estate plan. Any adult with assets needs to have a last will and testament, and you may want to consider creating a trust as well. The experienced estate planning attorneys at DuPont and Blumenstiel can talk to you about your options and ensure that your end-of-life wishes are clear. Call 614-389-9711 to get your estate documents in order.