Drafting Health Care Directives – Making Your Medical Wishes Known
Law for Georgia, LLC
Medical emergencies can happen suddenly—leaving you unable to speak for yourself. In these difficult moments, having a legally binding health care directive ensures that your medical wishes are honored and that the right person is authorized to make decisions on your behalf. At Law for Georgia, LLC, we help individuals and families across Georgia prepare customized health care directives as part of a complete and thoughtful estate plan.
What Is a Health Care Directive?
A health care directive (also known as an Advance Directive for Health Care in Georgia) is a legal document that allows you to:
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Appoint a health care agent – Someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself
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Provide instructions for medical care – Including your preferences regarding life support, resuscitation, tube feeding, organ donation, and more
This document combines the functions of a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care into a single, comprehensive tool.
Why Health Care Directives Matter
Without a health care directive in place, medical professionals may rely solely on family members—who may disagree or be unsure of your wishes. A directive gives you control over:
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Life-sustaining treatment decisions
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Use of ventilators or feeding tubes
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Pain relief and comfort care
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Organ and tissue donation
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End-of-life instructions
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Mental health or long-term care preferences
It also prevents loved ones from having to guess what you would have wanted during an already stressful time.
Key Features of a Georgia Advance Directive
Under Georgia law, your health care directive must:
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Be in writing
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Be signed by the declarant (you)
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Be witnessed by two competent adults
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Clearly identify the appointed health care agent
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Provide specific treatment instructions or limitations if desired
Your health care directive can be revoked or updated at any time, as long as you are mentally competent.
Choosing a Health Care Agent
Your health care agent will have authority to make critical medical decisions when you cannot. This person should:
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Be someone you trust deeply
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Understand your medical and moral preferences
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Be willing and able to act under pressure
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Be available in the event of an emergency
You can also name alternate agents in case your primary agent is unavailable.
How Law for Georgia, LLC Can Help
At Law for Georgia, LLC, we take the time to understand your values, concerns, and goals for medical care. We help you create clear, legally sound health care directives that eliminate uncertainty and protect your dignity.
Our services include:
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Drafting a Georgia-compliant Advance Directive for Health Care
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Advising you on life-sustaining treatment options and end-of-life decisions
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Coordinating your health care directive with other estate planning documents (wills, powers of attorney, etc.)
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Ensuring your documents are properly witnessed, signed, and stored
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Making updates to reflect changes in your preferences or family circumstances
We also encourage clients to discuss their directives with loved ones and medical providers to ensure everyone understands and respects their choices.
Protect Your Health. Preserve Your Voice.
Planning ahead with a health care directive gives you peace of mind knowing your medical wishes will be honored—and your loved ones won’t have to make those decisions alone. Let Law for Georgia, LLC help you create a plan that respects your values and protects your future.
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