THE CORNERSTONES OF ESTATE PLANNING
Advance Care Directive (Living Will) An Advance Care Directive, also known as a Living Will, allows you to express your wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care if you are unable to communicate your decisions. It outlines your preferences for life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and other medical interventions. Having a Living Will ensures that your healthcare providers and loved ones understand your desires and can make medical decisions on your behalf alignment with your values. Healthcare Surrogate Designation A Healthcare Surrogate Designation, also known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney, allows you to appoint someone you trust as your surrogate or proxy when it comes to medical care. This person will have the legal authority to make medial decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. Your healthcare surrogate is able to work with medical professionals to ensure that your medical treatment is carried out according to your wishes. HIPAA Authorization A HIPAA Authorization is a legal document that allows designated individuals to access your protected health information. Without this authorization, medical professionals are prohibited from sharing your health information with anyone other than you. By having a HIPAA Authorization in place, you ensure that your healthcare surrogate and other trusted individuals can access important medical information when needed.
5 Your Guide to Tax & Estate Strategies
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