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Advance Medical Directives in Massachusetts

Fall River Estate Planning Lawyer Helping Ensure Your Wishes are Followed at End of Life

No one imagines they will fall victim to a serious accident or life-threatening illness, and yet every year many thousands of people do. Only a fraction of them have prepared documents telling their loved ones about the medical care they want to receive in case of emergency or end of life situation, should they be unable to communicate this on their own.

It is a relatively easy matter to communicate your wishes for end-of-life medical care by preparing an Advance Medical Directive. This document gives your loved ones instructions about the care you would like to receive under particular circumstances.

We are Fall River estate planning lawyer Wilfred C. Driscoll, Jr., and Laurie A. Sanford and we've helped many of our estate planning clients put Advance Medical Directives in place. If you are unclear about what you would want, we can help you understand the situations you may face and the instructions you may wish to leave regarding:

  • Pain relief
  • Feeding assistance
  • Hydration
  • Whether you want CPR, a ventilator to help you breath or other life-extending equipment
  • Under what conditions you may want a DNR (do not resuscitate) order

These instructions are only the first step in taking control of your medical care. You will also need to give someone the authority to make medical decisions on your behalf so your instructions can be implemented. This can be with a Power of Attorney or a Healthcare Proxy.

Talk to family members and friends to assure yourself that whomever you choose understands what you want and believes they can actually follow through with it. You may want something they would not want for themselves. Can they actually follow your instructions?

We always include HIPAA releases in estate plans to ensure a doctor can talk about medical issues with the designated medical decision-maker.

Contact Fall River Estate Planning Lawyer Wilfred C. Driscoll, Jr.

Crafting an Advance Medical Directive or Living Will need not be difficult or time consuming but it can give you control at a time when you most want and need it. Take time today to begin the process. Call (508) 672-8718 to speak with us, Fall River estate planning lawyers Wilfred C. Driscoll, Jr., and Laurie A. Sanford or contact us online.

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