-A Health Care Directive (HCD), is a legal document that empowers one person, often a relative, to act on behalf of another person in matters concerning medical care and possibly end-of-life decisions. We Help You Legal, the legal document assisting service in Paso Robles outlines the top reasons to have an HCD.
The HCD may be included as a component of a living trust and the Paso Robles service also outlines how the HCD differs from a living trust. A living trust is a legal document created during someone’s lifetime that specifies how that person’s assets are to be transferred upon death and avoids the legal process of probate.
The HCD designates a health care proxy to make important decisions that fulfill the wishes for medical care, such as when to continue or stop life-supporting measures such as “Do Not Resuscitate.”
Aging is only one reason for an HCD. An HCD benefits adults of all ages because an accident or sudden illness can happen without warning. Also known as a medical power or attorney the HCD allows an individual to designate someone as a health care proxy to make medical decisions if he or she becomes incapacitated.
Without an HCD, there is the risk that:
- One’s health care wishes will not be carried out,
- Family members may disagree about the health care and wind up in a lengthy and expensive court action,
- The court may appoint someone who is not the best choice,
- The hospital may make certain treatment decisions that conflict with the wishes,
- Family disagreements can cause hurt feelings and rifts in family harmony,
Creating an HCD means filling out a form and having it notarized. However, there are some considerations to think about:
- Planning ahead by creating an HCD, along with a will and living trust is important. The HCD can be a simple document that We Help You Legal can help create.
- While not necessary for an HCD, creating a living trust with the Paso Robles service’s assistance may also be of value.
- Deciding who to authorize as the health care proxy and who to choose as an alternative in the event the first choice is unable to carry out the responsibilities
- How often it is necessary to review and update the HCD.
- Deciding who needs copies of the HCD.
Even though filling out a form is relatively simple there may be questions and concerns about accuracy or other information. Not everyone can afford to hire an attorney to create an HCD at the time one may be needed. A legal document assisting service, such as We Help You Legal can help make sure the HCD and any related documents are completed accurately and on time.
With offices conveniently located in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, document assisting services are only a phone call away. Call the Paso Robles service for help with a living trust, HCD, and a wide range of other matters.
We Help You legal is a “self-help” legal document assistance company that provides document preparation without the high cost of an attorney. We Help You Legal, Inc. is not a law firm. We cannot represent you in court, advise you about your legal rights or the law, or select forms for you.
We Help You Legal, Inc.
720 10th St,
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 237-7770
