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Georgia Advanced Health Care Directive Lawyer

It is impossible to know what life will throw at us – from drastic life events to health changes. That’s why it is important to be prepared for all circumstances. 

One way to prepare yourself for major decisions in the event of a health crisis is an advanced health care directive. 

Marietta Estate Planning is here to help make the emotional process of deciding your future health go as smoothly as possible. With the help of our knowledgeable attorneys, you can be sure that no question is left unanswered and all necessary information is accounted for – no matter where the future takes you.

”Loved working with Kim at Marietta Estate Planning! She does great work and is a joy to be around! Definitely made what could have been a difficult experience easy.

~ C.J. G.

What is an Advanced Health Care Directive?

While most people have heard of a last will and testament, fewer people are aware of a “living will,” or an advanced health care directive. 

An advanced health care directive is a legal document that informs both your family and healthcare provider what medical decisions you would like made for you in the event that you become unable to make those decisions.

For example, if someone has a stroke and is unable to make health decisions for themselves, the advanced health care directive would instruct everyone as to what the incapacitated party would like to have happen.

It is recommended that anyone over the age of 18 have an advanced health care directive, although it is not required.

In the state of Georgia, advanced health care directives do not have to be notarized.

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Why Does Georgia Call This Document an Advanced Health Care Directive and NOT a Living Will?

In 2007, the Georgia Living Will was replaced by the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act in the official Georgia code. 

This change also repealed the durable power of attorney in the state of Georgia, meaning that neither a living will nor a durable power of attorney are considered legal health care directives.

The purpose of the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, then, is essentially the combination of the living will and durable power of attorney.

What are Examples of Decisions Part of Advanced Health Directives in Georgia?

Advanced health directives contain decisions about all kinds of medical treatment in the event that the patient is unable to make those decisions themself.

An advanced health directive might include decisions about whether to:

  • Give CPR
  • Resuscitate
  • Allow Mechanical Ventilation
  • Allow Tube Feeding
  • Receive Dialysis
  • Donate Organs
  • Receive Comfort Care
  • Give CPR
  • Resuscitate
  • Allow Mechanical Ventilation
  • Allow Tube Feeding
  • Receive Dialysis
  • Donate Organs
  • Receive Comfort Care

What are the 3 pieces of a Georgia Advanced Health Care Directive?

There are 3 main pieces of an advanced health care directive in Georgia to make sure the creator’s wishes are met:

  • Picking an agent, also known as a representative, to make decisions for you when you are unable to (otherwise known as a durable power of attorney)
  • Make choices about future medical decisions, such as life support, resuscitation, etc. (otherwise known as the living will) 
  • Nominating someone to be a guardian in the event that a guardian becomes necessary

An experienced Georgia estate planning attorney can help you get started today.

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In What Circumstances Would an Advanced Health Care Directive Become Active in Georgia?

In Georgia, an advanced health care directive could become active during any of the following situations:

  • When someone has a terminal illness
  • When someone is in a coma where it’s very unlikely that you will recover
  • When someone is in a long-term vegetative state

Because we can never predict the future, it’s always important to regularly update your advanced health care directive based on the status of your health. 

Contact Marietta Estate Planning Today

While you can never know what the future holds, you CAN put a plan in place today so that you are able to make critical decisions if anything does happen.

 

Contact Marietta Estate Planning to help you write your will and make sure all of your assets are distributed exactly the way you want.

* While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer.

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