For some people, estate planning is synonymous with drafting a will. Their main concern is setting aside property for beneficiaries and determining what happens with their resources when they die. Others may recognize the importance of planning for changes in their health, possibly because they have a major medical condition.
Estate plans can include numerous different types of documents, including advance directives. An advance directive is essentially a document describing an individual’s specific medical preferences. They can also name someone to act as their medical agent.
Why is it important for many people to provide clear instructions about their medical wishes?
Medical wishes may deviate from standard protocol
One of the most common reasons people feel compelled to draft advance directives is that they recognize their medical wishes may be slightly different than current medical practices. Adults who belong to certain religions may want to avoid certain types of treatments, like medications developed using stem cell research or blood transfusions.
Others may feel strongly about avoiding certain types of life-prolonging care, including respiration assistance and other forms of life support. An advance directive helps provide clear instructions for healthcare providers and any family members who may need to speak up on behalf of an individual when they become incapacitated and cannot express their own medical preferences.
People worry about family conflict
Few things are more stressful after an emergency affects a loved one than needing to make major decisions about their healthcare. Families may end up arguing, and different people may each have their own ideas about what the incapacitated individual might prefer. Those conflicts could persist for years and do real damage to family dynamics, especially if someone decides to decline life support or resuscitation. Advance directives help limit the possibility of loved ones becoming so embroiled in disputes that their relationships suffer permanent damage.
Advance directives can also be very useful in scenarios where individuals may not have a spouse or other family members nearby to advocate on their behalf in a medical emergency.
Making the decision to add a variety of documents to an estate plan can help protect people from all kinds of difficult situations. Advance directives can be particularly useful for those with complex family dynamics, serious medical conditions and unusual healthcare preferences.