Healthcare Directives

Questions and Answers

1. What do I do when a health care directive is challenged by hospital doctors?

   1 Expert Answer

2. How can I obtain the forms required for a free living will or advance directive?

   - Advance directive forms are fairly easy to come by; it's completing them that can be the tricky part.
   1 Expert Answer

3. Does an advanced directive for health care agents supersede a durable power of attorney for medical decisions, if you have both?

   - When an advance directive and durable power of attorney conflict, the most recent document generally controls.
   1 Expert Answer

4. Are living trusts and living wills the same?

   - When it comes to living wills and living trusts, only the names are similar. One concerns itself with controlling medical care; the other, passing title to property.
   1 Expert Answer

5. What legal paperwork for parents is necessary besides a will?

   - Parents need an advance health care directive, a release for health care records, a durable power of attorney for finances, and maybe a living trust.
   1 Expert Answer

6. How can I ensure that my domestic partner will be empowered to handle my medical care and financial decisions?

   - To be sure your family is clear about your domestic partner's role in handling your property and medical care, reinforce those wishes now.
   1 Expert Answer

7. Can you provide me with a list of "end of life" questions to address with my family?

   - A comprehensive list for end of life questions will be appearing soon; in the meantime, this site can help provide some structure for your discussions.
   1 Expert Answer

Topics, Blog Posts, Articles, Checklists, and To-Do Lists

1. 7 Important Instructions to Include in a Health Care Directive

   Article - An advance health care directive -- a legal document that tells caregivers and care providers how your parents want medical matters handled -- should be as specific as possible. Help your parents think through all of the issues that might come up in connection with their future medical care.

2. Financial and Legal Planning for Someone with Alzheimer's

   Article - The how's and why's of financial and legal planning for your loved one with Alzheimer's will help you get started planning for how to pay for care and where to find help.

3. What Is an Advance Health Care Directive (or Living Will)?

   Article - A living will or advance health care directive lets medical providers know a person's preferences when they're unable to do so independently.