The Importance of an Advanced Directive

Most people don’t like to think about getting seriously ill or otherwise becoming incapacitated. We like to imagine that we will always be in complete control of our health and our health care decisions. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. As Americans live longer and longer, our families are often tasked with making difficult health care decisions after a loved one has become unable to make decisions for him or herself. With an advanced directive (opens in a new tab), you can help your family make these difficult decisions on your behalf.

Advanced directives can lay out exactly what measures should be taken in order to keep a person alive. Some people want no special measures to be taken at all while others want everything possible done to keep them alive regardless of quality of life questions. No matter where a person falls on this spectrum, they can be sure that their wishes will be carried out in the event of a medical emergency.

This is extremely helpful to family members who may have differing opinions on what to do if an elderly parent is incapacitated. Since this is such an emotionally charged time and since these decisions can literally be life or death, it can cause irreparable damage to even the strongest of families. An advanced directive can help make these decisions somewhat easier, helping a family know that they are carrying out the wishes of their loved one.

At The Law Offices of Seidner & Associates, our attorneys can help with these advanced directives. We can also help with all areas of law including wills, powers of attorney, asset protection, and estate planning needs. To learn more about how we can help, contact us today for a free consultation.

Need an advanced directive? Contact a Long Island estate planning attorney

Call The Law Offices of Seidner & Associates right away