While it may not be enjoyable to think about dying and what will happen after you die, it is important to plan for the end of your life. Preparing for your death now will give you peace of mind and spare your loved ones the stress of having to do so for you later in their lives. There are several documents that an individual should prepare prior to death, including durable power of attorney, advanced medical directive, and a HIPAA release. At Carlson & Work of Reno, Nevada, our experienced estate planning attorneys can assist you in creating these documents.
Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning involves planning for decisions that might need to be made in the future regarding your health and preferences, even if you are healthy at the moment. Advance care planning is recommended for all individuals to do, even if you are in good health, because a medical crisis could occur to anyone at any age. A qualified estate planning attorney, such as ours at Carlson & Work, can help you plan for your future through advance care planning. The types of decisions made in an advance care plan include preferences on:
- CPR
- Ventilator use
- Artificial nutrition and artificial hydration
- Comfort care
Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a legal document that identifies an individual to handle your legal, financial, and medical affairs in the event that you become incapacitated. Within a durable power of attorney, you can have a:
- Financial Power of Attorney: A financial power of attorney is a durable power of attorney for finances. It grants an individual the authority to manage financial transactions on your behalf. You can give the individual as much authority over your finances as you wish.
- Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney is a durable power of attorney for health care. It is one of many types of health care directives that identifies your wishes for health care if you are ever too sick or injured to speak for yourself.
Advance Medical Directive
An advance medical directive is a legal document that goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak up about your health care preferences for yourself. This directive helps your friends, family, and health care providers know what type of medical care you want.
HIPAA Release
A HIPAA release form is an important document that should be included in an advance care directive. This will authorize your health care providers to share your medical history with your power of attorney.
How to Create an Advance Care Plan
If you are in Reno, Nevada and are interested in creating an advance care plan, our estate planning attorneys at Carlson & Work can help you today. When creating a plan, it is important to think about what types of treatment you do and do not want in the case of a medical emergency.
How to Make Your Advance Care Wishes Known
There are several documents that can allow you to express your advance care wishes. Carlson & Work estate planning attorneys can assist you in the process of drafting these documents. The documents include:
- A living will
- A durable power of attorney
- A DNR (do not resuscitate order)
If you have not begun the process of planning for your death, contact Carlson & Work of Reno, Nevada today for guidance on the process. Our knowledgeable estate planning attorneys will help simplify the process and give you peace of mind for the future. Contact us at 775-386-2226.
