Comprehensive estate planning involves much more than writing a will or establishing a living trust. In addition to providing instructions for loved ones after your death, it’s prudent to also prepare documents detailing preferred medical treatment and empowering family or friends to act on your behalf. If incapacitated, advance medical directives ensure you receive treatment that conforms to your wishes. Below is a brief guide to the types to consider.

Living Wills

A living will provides instructions to doctors and hospital staff describing what treatments you would accept or decline if you were able to communicate. Many people use these vehicles to order or deny life support services, emergency resuscitation, or other emergency treatments. The orders can be as narrowly focused or as broad as you like, describing acceptable outcomes or preferences for or against certain types of surgery.

Durable Powers of Attorney

Medical emergencies can lead to bitter arguments among family members about the type of treatment you should receive. A durable power of attorney eliminates this confusion by giving a trusted agent the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf. In some states, estate planning attorneys may recommend combining these documents with a living will.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

A DNR order forbids medical staff from taking life-prolonging measures if you’re close to death. While a living will may contain some of the same information, many ill patients choose to keep a DNR nearby in case paramedics have to be called to their home or assisted living facility.

Estate planning can be confusing, requiring difficult decisions about matters most people would prefer not to think about. For over 120 years, the legal team at The Law Offices of Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer has provided critical guidance and compassionate service to Wahoo, NE, clients, earning an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest one a law firm can achieve. Visit the website for more on their estate planning services, follow their Twitter for legal tips and insight, and call (402) 443-3225 to schedule an initial consultation today.