Dallas Fort-Worth Living Wills

Protect Your Loved Ones with a Living Will or Advance Directive

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to make important decisions about your medical care should you become unable to communicate your wishes. There are two types of advance directives: a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The former allows you to specify the medical procedures you would or would not like to receive in certain situations, while the latter appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf.

Advance directives are crucial legal tools empowering individuals to retain control over their healthcare decisions even when incapacitated. They provide a clear roadmap for medical professionals and family members during critical times, avoiding conflicts or uncertainties. Crain & Wooley ensures these documents comply with Texas laws and are tailored to reflect your most current and comprehensive medical directives.

Do I Need An Advance Directive or a Living Will?

Advance directives are important for anyone who wants to take control of what happens to them when they are unable to speak for themselves. They also provide peace of mind for family members who may be unsure of what to do in a medical crisis. Our team of advance directive attorneys in Fort Worth can help you create an advance directive that reflects your wishes, whether you live in Dallas, Plano, or anywhere else in the greater Dallas area.

Call us at (972) 945-1610 to speak with a compassionate living will attorney near you.

What Are The Benefits of a Living Will?

A living will is a document that outlines your wishes regarding medical care in certain situations. It can be useful in various circumstances, including when you are terminally ill, in a coma, or otherwise unable to communicate your wishes. A living will can also help you avoid unwanted medical treatment and reduce the burden on your family members who may be unsure of what to do.

Having a living will is particularly essential in today’s evolving healthcare environment. It ensures that your ethical, religious, and personal preferences are honored even in situations where you cannot vocalize these preferences. Moreover, it serves as a testament to your foresight in easing the emotional and moral burden on your loved ones during challenging times. This document is continually kept up-to-date to reflect changes in your desires or advancements in medical technologies.

In a living will, you can specify the medical procedures you would or would not like to receive in certain situations. This includes situations such as when you are terminally ill, unconscious, or in a vegetative state. You can also state whether you would like to be taken off life support if it cannot be reversed. Additionally, you can choose to donate your organs or body to science. Your living will should be updated regularly to ensure that it reflects your current wishes.

Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare in Fort Worth

A durable power of attorney for healthcare allows you to appoint someone you trust to make important medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to speak for yourself. It is especially important to have a durable power of attorney for healthcare if you have a serious medical condition, such as a terminal illness, or if you are elderly. If you do not have a durable power of attorney for healthcare, a judge may have to appoint a guardian to make medical decisions for you.

A durable power of attorney for healthcare allows you to choose the person you trust most to make important medical decisions on your behalf. This person is known as the agent. The agent can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your wishes, such as whether to take you off life support if it cannot be reversed or to donate your organs or body to science. The durable power of attorney for healthcare can also name a successor agent if the person you originally chose is unable to serve.

How To Choose An Agent

Choosing an agent through a durable power of attorney for healthcare is not just about naming someone; it involves selecting an individual who understands your values and is committed to respecting your wishes. It's critical to have candid discussions with your chosen agent about your medical preferences and values. This robust tool ensures that someone aligned with your views is legally empowered to make real-time critical decisions, offering you the peace of mind that every decision made aligns with your intentions.

How to Create an Advance Directive

Creating an advance directive is a simple process you can complete with the help of an experienced attorney. Our team at Crain & Wooley can help you create a living will or a durable power of attorney for healthcare that accurately reflects your wishes. We can also help you update your advance directive as your situation or wishes change.

The creation of an advance directive involves not just filling out forms but engaging in meaningful one-on-one consultations to ensure every detail is addressed. During these sessions, we delve deep into our clients’ concerns and specific needs, offering tailored advice and practical solutions to match their unique circumstances. We also provide updates on relevant legal changes that may impact your documents, underscoring our commitment to safeguarding your healthcare intentions over time.

Understanding Texas Advance Directive Laws

In Texas, the laws surrounding advance directives stipulate specific criteria that must be met for these documents to be legally binding. It's essential that these documents are signed by the principal and witnessed by two disinterested witnesses, neither of whom should be related by blood or marriage. This ensures the directives are carried out according to the individual’s authentic decisions, free of undue influence. Additionally, understanding the distinctions between a living will and a medical power of attorney is important for compliance and execution.

Texas law has specific guidelines for caregivers and medical facilities in handling advance directives. It’s recommended to store these documents where they can be easily accessed, especially during emergency medical situations. At Crain & Wooley, we advise clients on proper storage options and how to keep loved ones informed of their healthcare wishes. By staying informed of these local laws and requirements, clients gain peace of mind that their healthcare preferences will be respected and adhered to without intervention.

Contact a reliable advance directive lawyer in Fort Worth now. Dial (972) 945-1610 or use our online form to get started right away.

FAQ About Advance Directives or Living Wills in Fort Worth

What Is the Difference Between a Living Will and a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?

The primary difference between a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare lies in their functions. A living will document your specific wishes regarding medical treatments under certain conditions. This is an independent legal document that instructs medical personnel on the treatments that align or do not align with your choices. Conversely, a durable power of attorney for healthcare appoints someone—referred to as your 'agent'—to make healthcare decisions for you if you are incapacitated. This person steps in to make decisions on scenarios not necessarily covered in your living will, ensuring all decisions reflect your personal values and desires.

Why Are Advance Directives Important in Medical Emergencies?

Advance directives hold paramount importance during medical emergencies as they communicate your healthcare preferences clearly when you cannot. They dictate the course of medical actions rather than leaving decisions to relatives who may be uninformed about your wishes. These documents help to ease potential disagreements among family members and provide a clear legal outline of your healthcare decisions to medical staff, ensuring treatment parallels your stated wishes. In Fort Worth, advance directives are respected as a crucial part of emergency healthcare planning, providing essential guidance for quick and difficult decision-making processes. For experienced guidance, schedule an appointment with a skilled advance directive attorney in Forth Worth at Crain & Wooley.

How Often Should You Update Your Advance Directive?

It is advisable to review and update your advance directive regularly, ensuring it aligns with your current values, health status, and treatment preferences. Life events such as marriage, divorce, the diagnosis of a significant medical condition, or milestone birthdays are opportune times to revisit your directives. Owning an outdated directive may lead to doubts among medical personnel and family members about your real intentions. At Crain & Wooley, we recommend setting periodic reminders—perhaps every five years or after any major personal change—to reassess and possibly update your healthcare documents.

Can My Advance Directive Be Changed After It’s Created?

Yes, you can modify, update, or revoke your advance directive at any time, provided you are still competent to make decisions. Changes should be documented in writing, signed, and dated. Once updated, it’s essential to inform relevant parties, including your healthcare providers, family members, and your chosen healthcare agent, to prevent misinformation during emergencies. By keeping everyone informed, your intentions are preserved, and healthcare actions remain consistent with your wishes. Our team can assist you in making these adjustments, ensuring everything is legally sound and communicated.

Who Should Have a Copy of My Advance Directive?

It's critical to ensure that multiple parties have copies of your advance directive. Key individuals include your assigned healthcare agent, primary care physician, attorney, and family members. Keeping copies with these people ensures that in any critical medical situation, your preferences are immediately accessible and adhered to. Crain & Wooley also recommends discussing the contents of your directive with each copy holder, so there is no ambiguity about your healthcare decisions, thereby honoring your healthcare preferences efficiently during crucial times.

Call us at (972) 945-1610 to speak with a compassionate living will attorney near you.