Who Makes Your Medical Decisions If You Can’t? California Advance Health Care Planning
Imagine you’re in the hospital after an unexpected accident. You’re unable to communicate, and your doctors need to know what kind of treatment you would want. Who makes those decisions for you?
If you haven’t made your wishes clear, your family may be left trying to make difficult decisions during an already stressful situation. That’s why advance health care planning is an important part of a comprehensive California estate plan.
What Is an Advance Health Care Directive?
A California Advance Health Care Directive allows you to document your healthcare wishes and name someone you trust to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. California law can also allow you to include instructions about the types of medical treatment you would or would not want.
This isn’t just a document for someone who is elderly or seriously ill. Accidents and unexpected medical emergencies can happen at any age. An advance health care directive can help ensure that your voice is still represented when you cannot speak for yourself.
Why Is It Important?
Without clear instructions, family members may disagree about what you would have wanted. Even when everyone has your best interests at heart, emotions can make an already difficult situation even harder. With an advance health care directive, you can choose the person you trust to help make healthcare decisions and communicate your preferences in advance. You can also discuss your wishes with your loved ones, physician, and other trusted people so they understand what matters to you.
Planning Is About More Than What Happens After Death
Many people hear “estate planning” and immediately think about what happens to their property after they die. But estate planning can also help protect you while you’re alive. California Courts note that estate planning can include documents that address financial decisions, healthcare decisions, and situations where you become temporarily or permanently unable to manage your affairs. That can make incapacity planning an important part of protecting yourself and your family.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until something happens before thinking about these decisions.
Take some time now to consider:
- Who do I trust to make healthcare decisions for me?
- Does my family know my wishes?
- Have my healthcare preferences changed?
- Do I have the appropriate documents in place?
- Does my current estate plan still reflect my circumstances?
California also maintains an Advance Health Care Directive Registry, which allows information about an executed directive to be registered so it can be located by authorized individuals when needed.
At Cannon Legal Firm, we help California individuals and families understand their estate planning and elder law options and prepare for the unexpected. You don’t have to wait for a medical crisis to start planning. Cannon Legal Firm offers free consultations to help you understand your options and take the next step toward protecting your wishes and the people you love.
