Everyone who is over the age of 18 needs an Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD). As part of a comprehensive estate plan, this document is essential to ensuring your family avoids court and your healthcare wishes are honored.
Don't make assumptions that people will know what you want. Let us help you put your wishes in writing. Whether your wishes have changed and you need to update your documents, or if you would like to get started on your estate plan, the Tarzana attorneys at Goldfarb & Luu can help.
Call us today at 888.489.1699 to schedule your complimentary initial consultation.
The Living Will memorializes your healthcare wishes to enable your designated Power of Attorney to make medical decisions on your behalf. Known as your Health Care Agent, this person can also sign consent and medical releases and access your medical records when you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself.
The details of an AHCD should be carefully considered while you are healthy and able to think through quality of life issues and appropriate medical treatments. The more details that are included, the easier it is when family or close friends need to make difficult choices in emotionally challenging times.
MYTH #1: I can make health care decisions for my spouse, aging parent or young adult child right now.
It comes as a surprise for many people that they cannot legally make decisions for a spouse, aging parent or adult child without a properly executed AHCD. The fact of your familial relationship does not itself give you the legal authority to act for a family member – it merely gives you a priority to be appointed as conservator.
MYTH #2: I can create an AHCD when I need it.
You can only create an AHCD when you have capacity, which is generally too late if you need it. If you are unable to create one, you and your family must go through the expensive and invasive court process known as a conservatorship. Once created, a conservatorship usually is permanent.
Our Goldfarb & Luu team has personally cared for many family members and we have guided hundreds of clients through the maze of the health care system and the process of aging, illness, disability and death. We value an extremely detailed AHCD for all of our clients and work with you and your family to create a legally-binding document that meets your needs.
If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to contact Goldfarb & Luu online. We help clients throughout Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange counties.