Healthcare Planning
Houston Healthcare Directive and Living Will Attorney
Document your healthcare wishes and choose someone you trust to speak for you when you cannot communicate independently.
Serving Harris, Brazoria, and Montgomery Counties.
Your Wishes Matter
Make Your Healthcare
Wishes Clear
A serious illness or injury may leave you unable to communicate your medical preferences. Healthcare directives allow you to record your wishes in advance and identify who may make decisions on your behalf.
Without clear instructions, family members may struggle to determine what you would have wanted. Disagreements may also arise during an already difficult time.
Attorney Megone Trewick helps clients prepare healthcare documents that reflect their values, preferences, and family circumstances.
Understanding Directives
What Is a Healthcare Directive?
Healthcare directives are legal documents used to communicate medical preferences or appoint someone to make healthcare decisions when you cannot do so.
A complete healthcare plan may include several documents because each serves a different purpose. Depending on your circumstances, these documents may address:
- Who may make healthcare decisions for you
- Your preferences concerning life-sustaining treatment
- Access to protected medical information
- Instructions for physicians and family members
- Your wishes regarding particular medical situations
- The people you do not want making decisions
- Religious, moral or personal beliefs affecting your care
Preparing these documents while you can clearly express your wishes gives you more control over future healthcare decisions.
Texas Healthcare Documents
Important Texas Healthcare Documents
Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates
Often called a living will, this document states your medical treatment wishes if you cannot communicate. It helps doctors and family understand your preferences for life-sustaining treatment.
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney allows you to name a trusted healthcare agent. The agent can make healthcare decisions when you are unable to make them yourself, subject to the document’s terms and applicable law.
HIPAA Authorization
A HIPAA authorization identifies who may receive protected medical information. It can help your chosen family members or representatives communicate with healthcare providers and obtain information needed to assist you.
Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate Order
An out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate order addresses certain resuscitation procedures outside a hospital setting. It is a separate medical order and should be discussed with appropriate legal and healthcare professionals.
Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
A Declaration for Mental Health Treatment lets adults state their treatment preferences in advance if they later cannot make decisions themselves.
Choosing Your Agent
Choosing a Healthcare Agent
Your healthcare agent may need to make difficult decisions during a stressful or emotional time. Choose someone who understands your wishes and is prepared to communicate them clearly.
Consider whether the person:
- Understands your values and treatment preferences
- Can remain calm under pressure
- Is willing to ask physicians questions
- Can communicate effectively with family members
- Will follow your wishes despite personal disagreement
- Is reasonably available during an emergency
- Is willing to accept the responsibility
You may also name alternate agents in case your first choice is unavailable or unable to serve.
When to Plan
When Should You Prepare or Review Your Directives?
Adults should consider preparing healthcare directives before an emergency occurs. Review your documents after:
- Marriage, divorce or remarriage
- A significant medical diagnosis
- A change in your healthcare preferences
- The death or incapacity of your chosen agent
- A change in family relationships
- Moving to or from another state
- Entering a hospital or long-term care facility
- Creating or updating your estate plan
Discussing your decisions with your agent and close family members can reduce uncertainty and help them understand your wishes.
Complete Legal Planning
Healthcare Directives and Financial Powers of Attorney
A medical power of attorney addresses healthcare decisions. It does not automatically authorize your agent to manage financial accounts, property or business matters.
A statutory durable power of attorney is generally used to authorize someone to handle specified financial and legal responsibilities.
Including both documents in an estate plan can ensure the appropriate people are authorized to address different needs.
TRUST PLANNING
Why Choose Trewick Law Firm?
Planning Based on Your Values
Your documents are prepared around your healthcare preferences, relationships and personal beliefs.
Clear Explanations
Megone explains the purpose of each document and the authority given to your chosen representatives.
Coordinated Estate Planning
Healthcare directives are reviewed alongside your powers of attorney, will, trusts and other planning documents.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a living will the same as a medical power of attorney?
No. A living will records preferences about treatment in specified circumstances. A medical power of attorney appoints someone to make healthcare decisions when you cannot.
Can I change my healthcare directives?
You can generally revise or revoke your directives while you have the required capacity. Updated copies should be provided to your agent and relevant healthcare providers.
When does my healthcare agent receive authority?
A medical power of attorney generally becomes effective when you are unable to make your own healthcare decisions, subject to its terms and Texas law.
START PLANNING TODAY
Put Your Healthcare Wishes in Writing
Trewick Law Firm can help you prepare healthcare directives that communicate your preferences and give appropriate authority to someone you trust.
