Advance Directives
Wills are documents that we are all familiar with. These deal with how an individual disposes of their assets after they have passed away, and can give indications to the deceased’s relatives as to a range of wishes from how they wish the funeral to be organised to the election of guardians for younger children.
Less well known, or even considered, is how we can provide directions for what is to happen before we die, when we may be under medical care and are unable to pass on our wishes.
Advance directives, also known as Living Wills, are intended to allow an individual to specify the form and extent of any medical treatment that they would not wish, or find acceptable, should they be unable to communicate their desires at the appropriate time. As such the Advance Directive is prepared whilst the client retains mental capacity and thus is only activated and used once the individual is no longer able to contribute to the decision making process.
Thus in order to help provide guidance to medical staff and relatives as to your wishes on the extent of treatment provided in such circumstances, the construction of an Advance Directive should be considered.
To find out more about how to set up an Advance Directive [Living Will] as well as information on the effect and extent of these documents please see our entry entitled ‘Advance Directives – Frequently asked questions’.
