Advanced Directives

Estate Planning Essentials - Part 1

As part of their estate plan, every person age 18 or older should have in place the three documents, collectively known as Advance Directives, which are made up of the (1) Health Care Surrogate Designation, (2) Living Will Declaration, and (3) Durable Power of Attorney.

(1) Health Care Surrogate Designation This document gives a third party authority to speak with healthcare professionals on your behalf and make specified decisions for you regarding your medical care in the event that you are unable to communicate your wishes.

(2) Living Will Declaration This document names one or more surrogates or agents, in order of preference, to direct that life-sustaining measures (such as life support) be withdrawn or withheld in the event that you are:

1. Incapacitated,

2. In a persistent vegetative state, end-stage condition, or terminal condition, and

3. There is no reasonable medical probability of your recovery, as designated by two physicians

(3) Durable Power of Attorney This document allows you to designate someone to act on your behalf if you ever become mentally incapacitated, allowing your designee to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf. The attorneys at Florida Legal Counsel will discuss your specific situation, advise which documents you need, and craft the estate plan that is best suited to protect you and your loved ones.

Want to learn more about essential estate planning documents? Check out our blog on Last Will and Testament & Revocable Trust

#health care directives

#Estate Planning Documents

#Florida Estate Plan

#St. Petersburg Estate Plan Lawyer