FREE CONSULTATION 480-409-5174 480-409-5174
Home / Practice Areas / Advance Directives

Chandler Lawyer Provides Dedicated Advance Directive Guidance

Trusted Arizona attorney helps families make difficult healthcare decisions

The unexpected can occur at any time, so it is never too early to prepare an advance directive — a legal document that details a person’s directions for the medical care they wish to receive or to be withheld in the event that they become incapacitated. For more than a decade at Jeffrey P. Hall, PLLC, I have provided legal counsel to Arizona residents in drafting enforceable healthcare orders from my offices in Phoenix, Peoria and Chandler.

Experienced lawyer assists individuals in preparing clear advance directives

Since an extreme medical situation can befall anyone regardless of age or state of health, it is wise to have your wishes regarding care stated in a valid legal document. Anyone in Arizona age 18 or older can sign an advance directive.

There are different types of advance directives. The most common ones are:

  • Living wills — A living will outlines the type of medical care you would like to receive or not receive if you are in a condition where you cannot communicate your wishes, such as if you are in a coma or a vegetative state. This document can specify the treatments you do and do not consent to receiving in defined situations.
  • Healthcare powers of attorney — A durable power of attorney grants a specified person authority to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are unconscious or unable to communicate informed decisions of your own.
  • DNR orders — A do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) legally prevents healthcare workers from performing CPR or other potential life-saving measures if your heart stops or if you stop breathing.

Once your directives are prepared, you can register them with the Arizona Advance Directive Registry. Healthcare providers can access the registry to find the document if ever it is needed.

I help my clients and their loved ones understand the relative advantages of these types of advance directives in various scenarios. Each client can rely on my patience, care and commitment to providing dependable estate planning guidance.

Knowledgeable counsel advised on changing and enforcing advance directives

Once you create an advance directive, you maintain the freedom to change or revoke it. If changes are made, it is essential to re-register it and to notify anyone who has a copy of the previous advance directive. This helps to ensure that your wishes remain clear to your loved ones, healthcare providers and any other relevant parties.

Decisions about healthcare are highly personal, and so it is not uncommon for a person’s loved ones to disagree with the decisions included in their advance directive. However, when you have an advance directive in place, your family members have no authority to depart from your directions.

Contact a respected Central Arizona advance directives lawyer to plan a free consultation

At Jeffrey P. Hall, PLLC, I maintain offices in Phoenix, Peoria and Chandler to advise Arizona residents on advance directives and other estate planning matters. To schedule a free consultation, call me at 480-409-5174 or contact me online.