One of the benefits of making an estate plan is that you can address future medical decisions. After all, if you have a serious condition, you may be incapacitated. You could suffer a stroke, for example, that leaves you unable to communicate with your doctors. If you have a medical emergency, you may even be unconscious or incapacitated in the hospital.
At a time like this, it is important to have documentation on file to address your medical needs and your decisions. There are two ways that you can make your wishes known.
A living will
One way to address this is by drafting a living will. It allows you to make very specific decisions. For instance, maybe you do not want to be kept on life support under any circumstances. You can use the living will to approve certain medical treatments and list others that you do not want, regardless of your doctor’s opinion. In this sense, you are still making the decisions, even if you are incapacitated at the time.
A power of attorney
A second option is to draft a medical power of attorney. You do not actually have to make any specific decisions—instead, you just have to choose a person you trust to act as your healthcare agent. If you are incapacitated, then they can step in and have the legal authority to make these decisions on your behalf.
Drafting an estate plan
Medical documentation is just one part of estate planning to consider. Be sure you understand exactly what legal steps to take when getting your plan in place.