Health Care Directive Lawyer in Michigan

Everyone has their own views on the type of medical care they want to receive at the end of their lives. By taking time to having legal documents drawn up regarding your wishes it will help your loved ones know what you want done. It is important to work with an experienced legal team to draw up the paperwork. Planning in advance will also keep your fate from being placed in the hands of a guardian appointed by the probate court.

Make decisions related to your medical care now. Work with our Michigan health care directives attorneys at Grewal Law PLLC to draw up the necessary legal documents to ensure your wishes are followed. Too many people leave these decisions up to their family members which can be difficult for them to make when you are ill.

In addition, the decisions may end up being made by someone you do not want placed in charge. Planning for your care now will provide you with peace of mind and our team is here to help you make the best choices for your life.

We can help you with future medical decisions. Call us today at (888) 211-5798 or contact us online.

Who Will Make My Medical Decisions if I am Unable?

If you become unable to make decisions for your care, probate court will appoint someone to be your guardian. Once a guardian has been appointed to handle your care, you will be known as a ward. You may not think you need a guardian, but a family member or someone who works for the Department of Health and Human Services along with other people concerned for your well-being may ask the court to appoint a guardian for you.

Health Care Directives

One of the best options is to generate an advance health care directive. The creation of this written document is something you may decide to have drawn up to outline your instructions related to your health care. The directives are designed to give direction if you are not able to express your wishes on your own.

There are three different types of advance directives you can have written. It is up to you to decide if outlining durable power of attorney for health care, a living will, or a do-not-resuscitate order is the right choice for your healthcare. Another directive you can have drawn up is to make an anatomical gift after your death. As your estate planning attorneys in Michigan, we will help you outline the things that are most important to you in a medical directive.

When Do I Need a Power of Attorney?

You may want to have a power of attorney, otherwise known as a health care proxy, drawn up to protect your wishes. The power of attorney designates someone to handle decisions related to your medical treatment and personal care when you are incapacitated. The individual will also be able to make decisions related to organ donation once you pass away.

If you are over the age of 18, you are eligible to have a power of attorney appointed. When the document is created it will need to be shown you are able to make decisions about your well-being. The person who you designate to make decisions is called your patient advocate.

The person acting as your advocate will have to accept the responsibility by signing the document you have drawn up. Depending on the agreement, he or she will be designated to make decisions regarding your mental or physical health.

You will have the choice to decide what powers you give your advocate. From making choices regarding food and water to nursing home care, you will decide what decisions you want the advocate to make for you.

Understanding Living Wills

Under Michigan law, living wills are not recognized under law. Even though there are not laws regarding living wills, these documents may still be followed and can provide guidance to the person appointed as your power of attorney. The directives are given to physicians and other health care providers outlining your end-of-life medical care wishes.

Unlike selecting a power of attorney, where someone is appointed to make decisions for you, a living will outlines your specific wishes if you are permanently unconscious or terminally ill. It does not offer as much flexibility compared to other options because specific directions are outlined versus giving someone the ability to make decisions related to your health care. Our team will help you understand the advantages and disadvantages to living wills to help you decide if making one is the right choice for you.

Who Will Care for My Children?

As the parent of any minor children, you will want to designate a guardian for them if something were to happen to both of their parents. Without a guardian designated through a will or other estate planning document, their care will be given to a grandparent. If none of their grandparents are alive then the next closest relative will be given guardianship. Any child without relatives will have a state-appointed guardian.

Do not leave the care of your children up to the state. Plan now to designate a guardian for their care after you are gone. Pick a guardian for your children to protect their future.