When taking care of your estate planning, our team at the Bingham Legal Group PC understands that it may be unpleasant to think about end-of-life matters. Additionally, these smaller details may be overlooked when you are focusing on how to divide your assets and property with a will or trust. However, it is just as important, if not more so, for Detroit residents to ensure they have plans that tell their loved ones what they wish to happen in case they are incapacitated.
You might consider a healthcare power of attorney. According to U.S. News, this legal document designates someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. These decisions would likely include the type of care you are to receive, as well as what to do if you are on life support.
An advance directive is another legal tool to consider for end-of-life or medical emergency planning. This document may be as simple as telling your family members what you wish to be done. You might want to remain on life support for only a couple of weeks, for example, before having life support shut off. You might, on the other hand, advise your family members to take all measures necessary to save your life. These are decisions that your loved ones would have to make on their own if you do not have an advance directive or healthcare power of attorney. If they do not know your wishes, they may end up making a decision you would not want.
End-of-life and emergency planning is not restricted to those in their golden years. You never know when a tragedy, such as a car accident, could send you to the hospital with no way to speak up for yourself. Advance planning still gives you a voice if you are incapacitated. To learn more about advance directive and power of attorney planning, visit our page on power of attorney designation.