Arizona Estate Planning Lawyer Helps You Prepare an Advance Directive

Phoenix law firm enabling families to make decisions when a loved one is incapacitated

Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to clearly articulate your preferences regarding lifesaving medical interventions. Many people don’t include advance directives when estate planning, but they are crucial documents that can save your family heartache during a medical crisis. No one wants to force their family to make a hasty decision under extreme duress. I have extensive experience advising clients throughout Arizona on the various contingencies they can address in an advance directive. I can help you to draft clear instructions so that a specific plan exists for your treatment if you lose the ability to communicate.

An attorney empowering people to manage their own medical and financial concerns

Advance directives can set forth instructions on various matters and come in several forms, including:

• Living wills and pro-life health care directives. A living will or pro-life health care declaration states what kind of medical care you are to receive in an end-of-life situation.
• Durable powers of attorney. In the event that you are not able to participate in decisions about your financial matters, durable powers of attorney authorize someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf.
• Health care powers of attorney. If you are in the hospital and unable to make a medical decision, then the agent that you appoint under your health care power of attorney can make this decision for you.
• Mental health care powers of attorney.  If you ever develop Altzheimer’s or dimentia, then the agent that you appoint under your mental health care power of attorney can make mental health care decisions for you, including placement decisions.

I will take the time to discuss each of these options so that you can be comfortable that every item you wish to address is covered appropriately.

Skillful counsel to avert future disputes over life-and-death decisions

Through the years, there have been numerous stories in the media detailing protracted court battles among family members over the treatment of incapacitated relatives. I can formulate documents clearly enough that there will be no room for misinterpretation or argument. This way, your family can avoid expensive litigation in these difficult situations.

Contact a Phoenix attorney to aid you in drafting and executing an advance directive

John Even serves clients in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. Call me at 602-663-9263 or contact me online to schedule a consultation at my Phoenix office.