3 common reasons to draft an advance medical directive

On Behalf of | Jan 26, 2025 | Estate Planning |

Some estate planning documents, such as wills, only have legal authority after the testator who drafted them dies. Other documents serve to provide legal protection for those facing medical challenges or incapacitation.

An advance medical directive takes effect while the person who drafted the document is still alive. It can help in scenarios where an individual becomes incapacitated or incapable of communicating with others. The document provides instructions about palliative care, life support and even health care proxies who can act on behalf of an incapacitated individual.

There are many reasons why people might decide to add advance medical directives to their estate plans. The three reasons below are among the most common.

1. Facing a major medical diagnosis

Health care providers and other professionals often encourage those diagnosed with cancer or other life-altering conditions to draft advance directives. That way, if their health changes abruptly, there are clear instructions regarding the care that the incapacitated individual expects to receive.

The long-term wishes of individuals may change when they face a major diagnosis. Providing written directions can help clarify personal wishes in a difficult scenario.

2. Taking the pressure off of loved ones

In an emergency situation where an individual cannot communicate their wishes, their spouse or an individual they named as their health care proxy may be in a very difficult position. They have to make choices about medical treatment and may be unsure about what decision is best.

Even those who have had conversations about their medical wishes before cannot be certain that their loved ones can recall their preferences during the stress of a medical emergency. Committing personal wishes to writing clarifies matters for loved ones. Advance directives can help prevent them from feeling pressured or fighting with one another about treatment decisions.

3. Having strong medical preferences

Some people have strong medical preferences because of their religious beliefs. Some people object to receiving medical treatments developed through stem cell research, for example. Others may belong to a religion that makes transplants and blood transfusions inappropriate treatment options.

People may also have preferences based on personal experiences, such as an aversion to opioid pain medication after witnessing the addiction of loved ones. People who have particularly strong medical references that deviate from current best practices in the healthcare sector may need to clarify their wishes so that standard medical procedures don’t dictate what care they receive.

Adding an advance medical directive to an estate plan may help give the testator peace of mind and provide support to their loved ones in a difficult time. Those who clarify their medical wishes are more likely to receive appropriate care when they need medical support in an emergency.