Preparation of Advance Health Care Directive by RI Lawyer

Making end-of-life and medical decisions through your living will

You have the right to make your own medical decisions as long as you are able to give your informed consent. An advance health care directive -- also called a living will -- allows you to express your treatment decisions and to designate an agent as a power of attorney to carry out your wishes should you become incapacitated.

Kerry I. Rafanelli, Attorney at Law has 30 years of experience preparing legal documents that support advance medical and end-of-life decisions. Often the issue of advance directives arises in questions about estate planning because of the similar-sounding last wills and testaments and living wills. Both are important documents for carrying out your wishes -- the former addressing distribution of your property and the latter directing your medical care if you become mentally or physically incapacitated. Our East Greenwich lawyers guide you through the process of preparing your living will and in choosing an appropriate surrogate to act in your best interest.

Creating a durable power of attorney for healthcare

The durable power of attorney for healthcare must be executed while you have the mental capacity to do so. Even if you later become incapacitated, you can revoke or amend the legal instrument if you regain lucidity.  Your agent should be somebody you trust to make decisions that reflect your desires. Although you might choose a spouse, child, parent or sibling, you can also appoint a friend, partner or more distant relative who more closely aligns with your end-of-life philosophy.

Why create a living will

A family may endure uncertainty and internal conflict when faced with decisions regarding end-of-life care for their loved one. Although your family may try to act in your best interest, they may not know what you want or they may have a different viewpoint than you about appropriate end-of-life treatments. A living will clearly expresses your desires and relieves your family of making complex decisions during the heartbreaking moments following your injury or illness.

Learn more about drafting your advance health care directive from experienced estate planning law firm in Warwick, Cranston, North Kingstown and Coventry

Consult an experienced East Greenwich attorney to help you draft your advance care directive. Call Kerry I. Rafanelli, Attorney at Law or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.