Does Your Family Know Your Medical Wishes?
A patient advocate designation is a form that allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so yourself. Patient advocate forms are also known as living wills, advance medical directives and medical powers of attorney.
Many people do not want to think about such circumstances. If the time arises, however, having such a document in place will make your medical treatment decisions much easier and clearer for whomever you choose, as well as your family and loved ones.
At Bieber & Lubinski, PLLC, our lawyers have decades of experience in estate planning and creating effective solutions for clients. Our patient advocate attorneys represent clients in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland counties and throughout Michigan.
What Is A Patient Advocate Designation In Michigan?
A Michigan patient advocate designation serves as your voice when you cannot speak for yourself, letting your doctors and loved ones know exactly what medical treatments you do and don’t want. This document combines two crucial components that work together to protect your interests.
- A living will in Michigan outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment when you are unable to communicate your decisions. This document becomes active when you have a terminal illness, are in a permanent coma or face other situations where you cannot express your health care preferences. Your living will might address whether you want life-sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition or other specific medical interventions.
- A durable power of attorney for health care names someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so yourself. This person, called your patient advocate or agent, can make a wide range of health care decisions, including choosing doctors, approving treatments and deciding where you receive care. Your agent’s authority continues even if you become permanently incapacitated.
The key difference between these documents is that a living will states your specific wishes. At the same time, a durable power of attorney gives someone else the authority to make decisions for you based on your known values and preferences.
Sterling Heights Attorneys For Living Wills
As your legal counsel, we will spend considerable time learning about you, your family and your objectives. Specifically, we will help you:
- Choose a person you trust to make key medical decisions if necessary due to illness, an accident or other incapacitation. This could be a spouse, parent, child, sibling, other relatives or someone else close to you.
- Decide the details regarding medical treatment you wish to receive. Such decisions include whether and when to administer life-saving measures and for how long. We can discuss details such as life support, feeding, resuscitation, medication and other specifics.
Deciding these issues now will not only give you peace of mind, but can also ease the stress your loved ones may feel in making future medical treatment decisions for you. We will help you create a plan specific to your preferences and needs.
We can also help you create a comprehensive estate plan to reflect your other goals such as financial planning, asset protection, creation of guardianships or conservatorships and more.
Why You Need A Patient Advocate Designation
Many people living in Michigan assume that their family will automatically know what medical care they want or that their spouse can make all decisions on their behalf. Unfortunately, without proper legal documents, family members may not have the authority to act on your behalf, even in emergencies.
A patient advocate designation provides several significant benefits, including:
- Ensuring your health care wishes are respected
- Relieving the burden on your family members during a difficult time
- Avoiding potential family disputes regarding your care
- Providing peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be followed
These documents become especially important as you age or if you face serious health challenges.
How Can The Patient Advocate Attorneys At Bieber & Lubinski, PLLC, Help?
Creating a patient advocate designation requires careful consideration of complex medical and legal issues. Our attorneys understand Michigan law and help you create documents that clearly express your wishes while meeting all legal requirements.
We take time to explain your options and help you think through different scenarios you might face. Our lawyers work with you to ensure your patient advocate designation reflects your values and gives your chosen agent clear guidance for making decisions on your behalf.
As part of comprehensive Michigan estate planning, our attorneys often recommend creating your patient advocate designation alongside your will and other essential documents. This approach ensures all your planning documents work together effectively.
Our patient advocate designation attorneys have helped many families in Center Line and throughout Michigan prepare for medical emergencies. We understand the concerns working families face and provide practical guidance you can understand and trust.
Take Control Of Your Health Care Decisions
Don’t wait until a medical emergency forces your family to make difficult decisions without knowing your wishes. We can help you make these decisions today so your loved ones don’t have to later. Call our office at 586-754-1450 or contact us by email to schedule a consultation with an attorney today.