Tampa Advanced Directives Attorney
Every Tampa resident has the right to make their own decisions regarding their health. This includes sensitive matters such as whether to refuse medical treatment in a situation where they may no longer have the capacity to speak for themselves. This is where having advanced directives can help ensure the doctors know–and follow–your wishes.
Advanced directives include a number of documents recognized by Florida law, including a living will, a health care surrogate designation, and an anatomical donation. A qualified Tampa advanced directives attorney can assist you in preparing these and other documents designed to help protect your rights should you become unable to assert them for yourself. Knudsen Law is a dedicated Florida estate and probate law firm that assists clients in safeguarding their personal privacy and dignity in these delicate situations.
How Advanced Directives Work in Florida
In simple terms, advanced directives are any written or oral statement you make regarding how certain medical decisions should be made if and when you become legally incapacitated. Here is how each type of advance directive form works:
- Living Will: A living will is an advance directive that takes effect while you are still living but have a terminal or end-stage condition, or you are in what doctors consider a “persistent vegetative state.” The living will directs whether you wish to receive life-prolonging procedures or other extraordinary measures under such circumstances. You can also leave your healthcare provider with additional instructions.
- Health Care Surrogate Designation: A living will typically cannot cover every medical decision that might be necessary if you become incapacitated. This is where a health care surrogate comes in. You can designate a family member or other person that you trust to make medical decisions and speak with your doctors on your behalf. You can also leave your surrogate with specific instructions regarding your wishes, similar to a living will.
- Anatomical Donation: If you wish to donate all or part of your body after death, you can sign an anatomical donation form, include instructions in your living will, or enroll in Florida’s online registry for organ donation when you apply for or renew your driver license.
While Florida law does not require anyone to have advance directives, not having them can mean a court may need to step in and appoint a guardian for you if you do become incapacitated. In many cases this will be a close family member, but even then they may not be aware of your specific wishes regarding end-of-life care. That is why it is essential that you take the time now to make proper advance directives.
Contact Our Tampa Advanced Directives Attorneys
When it comes to your medical care, you should never hesitate to make sure your wishes are known. Our Tampa advance directives attorney can help ensure your wishes are not just known, but followed if and when the time comes. If you would like to speak with someone about making or revising advance directives, contact us today at (727) 398-3600 to schedule a consultation.
