Middle Ground Alternatives

Common Legal Arrangements - Advanced Directives

Advance directives are written instructions used to communicate the health care or mental health treatment wishes of persons who are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. The person’s family and medical providers follows these instructions if and when the person is no longer able to make his/her own health care decisions.

Anyone age 18 or older may prepare an advance directive. However, there are some good reasons to get a lawyer to help you when preparing advance planning documents of this kind. A lawyer can help interpret State laws or suggest ways to ensure than a person’s wishes are carried out.

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