×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Layin’ It on the Line: Advance directives – The living will and other issues

By Lyle Boss - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Dec 7, 2022

Photo supplied

Lyle Boss

Advance directives are legal documents prepared in advance to accomplish a task at a later date.

These documents can be instructions or permission granted for specific usages such as life support or even financial issues. There are two types of advance directives. A durable power of attorney for health care allows you to name a patient advocate to make decisions on your behalf.

A living will allow you to state your wishes in writing but does not explicitly name a person to assume the role of advocate. Regardless of which one is used, the court system can still intervene and make a significant decision if situations arise.

Most people who choose to prepare advance directives do so to remove any doubt of their wishes in the event of a situation in which they may be deemed unable to make decisions.

Considerations of the advance directive would be who you would want to assume the responsibility for decision-making. Important decisions could be about ventilators (and other life-extending machines), resuscitation, surgery, feedings (tube, food and water) and prescription drugs.

A durable power of attorney for health care is a legal document that allows you to name another adult (18 or over) to make your health decisions for you. Most people choose a family member, but often a trusted advisor is selected. If the end-of-life issues are in play, you may instruct your appointee to refuse any treatment and let you die. You would state this in writing that the person you select has the power to make that decision. The durable power of attorney only goes into effect once you are unable to make any decision yourself.

The power of attorney and the living will are both reversible. At any time, you may change your mind both as to treatments and who is the appointee. The only real component of either of these agreements is that at the time you execute the transactions you are considered a competent adult. This means that you are capable of choosing your own free will and without outside influence.

It is always best to seek legal advice when considering essential decisions.

Numerous sources exist to provide you with necessary information about how these agreements work and how they may affect you and your heirs.

Because the living will is considered a legal document, always gather help and advice from a licensed and authorized professional. Decisions made now can have a lasting effect for your heirs and yourself. By working with a licensed and authorized professional, changes and updates can be made knowing your wishes and decisions will be honored.

Lyle Boss, a native Utahn, is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management. Boss Financial, 955 Chambers St., Suite 250, Ogden, UT 84403. Telephone: 801-475-9400.

Newsletter

Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)