Advance Directive
For Maryland Residents ONLY
Most people are not familiar with the term Advance Directive, yet it is identical to and operates in the same manner as a Health Care Power of Attorney and/or Living Will.
Preparing an Advance Directive is a process that no one wants to contemplate; however, we must plan for the unexpected.
What is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive grants authorization to act on someone else’s behalf in matters relating to their health care. To make a valid Advance Directive, you must be at least 18 years of age, able to understand what the document means, what it contains, and how it works.
What is the purpose of an Advance Directive?
The purpose of having an Advance Directive is to have a legal document in place which sets out instructions for your medical care, in case something were to occur that would leave you unable to communicate with your doctor/hospital/family members.
What’s involved with an Advance Directive?
An Advance Directive normally involves these types of issues:
Admission and/or Discharge from Hospital, Hospice, Nursing Home, or other medical facility
Request to Receive Protected Health Records as your Personal Representative under HIPAA
Withholding/Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Procedures
Withdrawing Food & Water (Artificially Administered Nutrition & Hydration);
Palliative Care
Authorizing Organ, Tissue or Body Donation
Authorizing an Autopsy
Authorizing the Disposition of Your Remains
Nominating a Guardian
Pregnancy (you may indicate whether you want Health Care directions carried out in the event of your pregnancy
With an Advance Directive, you may specify your care for different situations, or if you wishes are simple, you may leave all decisions to your health care agent to act in your best interest.
Who can I name as my Health Care Agent?
You should appoint someone who you trust, who is reliable, and who you have shared your medical care concerns and/or wishes with, as your Health Care Agent. You may appoint your Attorney as your Health Care Agent, an immediate family member, or even a trusted friend. You may not name an owner, operator, or employee of a health care facility where you are/or have received care to be your health care agent. We recommend that you name two Health Care Agents in the event your first choice is unavailable.
Should I execute an Advance Directive?
You should execute an Advance Directive for the mere purpose that life is full of unexpected events and issues. With an Advance Directive in place, your health care directions will be carried out in the event that you are unable to communicate with your doctor, hospital, and/or loved ones. Having an Advance Directive will save your family time and money.
Can I revoke my Advance Directive?
You may revoke your Advance Directive at any time. You are in complete control of your health care directions, and if your desires change at any time, you should destroy the original and execute a new one. You should also inform all who have a copy, to return it to you to be destroyed, and that you have revoked it.
Should I distribute copies of my Advance Directive to my physician, insurance plan,
immediate family members?
Yes you should, otherwise it will be wasted time, money and words on a sheet of paper. Your Advance Directive should be in the hands of the people who need to know about it, so that your health care directions are carried out in accordance with your wishes.
Does MVP Law Group offer a bundle deal for executing both an Advance Directive and a POA?
Yes! We offer a bundle deal for the preparation and execution of the Advance Directive and POA, a deal that you do not want to miss! Contact our office for more information!
Get your health care plan in place.
Your health care directions are unique to you as an individual, encompassing your religious and/or spiritual beliefs, family traditions, and sincere values. We want to help you prepare so that you are taken care of according to your wishes.
I've used Kellie Lego of MVP Law Group and was extremely satisfied with the level/quality of service, professionalism and dedication provided. Great job!! Thanks for everything.
— Bob
