What to Know About Advance Healthcare Directives in Pennsylvania

There are several documents involved in an estate plan. With an advance healthcare directive, you can relax knowing that your wishes will be carried out in the event that you cannot make medical decisions on your own. Do not wait to reach out to our firm today to obtain a skilled Pennsylvania estate planning attorney on your side.

What is an advance healthcare directive in Pennsylvania?

An advance healthcare directive is a document that is used for end-of-life care planning. The main goal of creating an advance healthcare directive is to give an individual the ability to make decisions regarding the medical care he or she is to receive, in the event that the individual faces an injury or illness that prevents him or her from making decisions on their own. Advance healthcare directives usually include living wills and healthcare powers of attorney. These documents can generally be created individually, however, it is important to note that in the state of Pennsylvania, they are usually combined into a single document.

If you have questions or concerns about this document, do not wait to reach out to our skilled Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys today to discuss the specifics of your case and your options.

What is the purpose of creating a durable healthcare power of attorney?

By creating a durable healthcare power of attorney, you will be able to appoint a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, in the event that you are unable to do so. Once a treating doctor determines that an individual can no longer make these decisions on his or her own, the appointed individual is responsible for making the decisions from that point forward.

If you would like to learn more about this process, contact our firm today to speak with a skilled estate planning attorney at Friedman Schuman.

What is the order for life-sustaining treatment?

In the state of Pennsylvania, people can establish a Pennsylvania Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to prepare for a life-threatening or unexpected medical crisis. For a POLST to be valid and legally enforceable, it must be signed by a health care provider, the person who creates the document, and that person’s appointed health care agent. It is important to understand that this does not replace a living will or a health care power of attorney.

Reach out to our firm today to discuss the specifics of your case and your options with an experienced Pennsylvania estate planning attorney.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED PENNSYLVANIA FIRM

Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman today to schedule a consultation.

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