Advance Medical Directive (Living Wills) Attorney in Virginia

Advance Medical Directive – Just $145   Get Started Now!

An Advance Medical Directive (or sometimes an Advanced Medical Directive or Living Will), allows you to express your wishes regarding your medical care and to designate an agent to carry out those wishes if you are unable to do so for yourself.  The attorney at Northern Virginia Trusts and Estates in Northern Virginia have years of experience crafting well thought out living wills which will honor your wishes as they pertain to medical care decisions if you are unable to express them on your own.

You can specify your wishes regarding:

• Life Support

• Resuscitation

• Analgesia

• Feeding

• Antibiotics
   

Learn more about advance medical directives & living wills in Virginia

An Advance Medical Directive (or sometimes incorrectly called an Advanced Medical Directive or Living Will) is an increasingly popular option as part of a comprehensive estate plan, but they can also be drafted alone or as an added component to an existing estate plan. While it is not pleasant to consider the situations in which this document may become useful, it will give you and your loved ones greater peace of mind if you create a living will to provide guidance and direction at a difficult point.
 

Living Wills – Defined

The term living will, more properly called an Advance Medical Directive, is a separate legal document from the rest of those involved in your estate plan. While the name may make it seem similar to a will or a living trust, the living will addresses an entirely separate issue related specifically to health care. An Advance Medical Directive indicates your preferences for treatments when faced with conditions where recovery is highly unlikely. This document tells your loved ones and the medical staff which courses of treatment you would like them to pursue and which you are not interested in, if the situation arises in which you cannot speak for yourself.
 

 Do I Need a Living Will or an Advance Medical Directive?

People have become more interested in these documents for a number of reasons, including the fact that advances in medicine and technology have increased the number and type of options available for patients facing terminal illnesses and catastrophic injuries.
An advance medical directive is a good choice for almost everyone because it is impossible to predict when such a document may become relevant. Your loved ones may be unaware of your wishes and, without a living will, could struggle greatly to make these emotional and challenging decisions. Knowing that they are acting in accordance with your wishes can be a great source of comfort for those that you leave behind.
Additionally, it is a good idea to inform your loved ones and any medical professionals who may be consulted that you have created an advance medical directive so that they can reference it if they ever need to do so. While one hopes that they will never need their living will or advance medical directive, it is a great comfort to know that you have attended to this detail.

​

What Does an Advance Medical Directive Cover?

An advance medical directive can address your preferences regarding a variety of medical treatments and decisions. Depending on your wishes, you may provide instructions concerning life-prolonging treatment, resuscitation, pain-relieving medication, and other forms of medical care.
An advance medical directive can also allow you to appoint a person you trust to act as your health care agent. Your agent can make health care decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make an informed decision yourself.
Taking the time to discuss your wishes with your health care agent can also help ensure that the person you choose understands your preferences and is prepared to act on your behalf.

​

Advance Medical Directive Requirements in Virginia

Virginia law permits an adult who is capable of making an informed decision to create a written advance directive addressing health care decisions if the person later becomes incapable of making an informed decision.
A written advance medical directive in Virginia must be signed by the person making the directive in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. An advance directive may also appoint an agent to make health care decisions on your behalf.
Because the requirements for these documents can vary by state, it is important to make sure your advance medical directive is prepared and properly executed under Virginia law.

​

Can I Change My Advance Medical Directive?

Your medical wishes and personal circumstances can change over time. You may want to review your advance medical directive after a significant life event, a change in your health, or a change in your relationship with the person you appointed as your health care agent.
If your wishes change, an attorney can help you review your existing advance medical directive and determine whether it should be updated or replaced.
You should also make sure that your health care agent and appropriate medical providers know that you have an advance medical directive and know where to obtain a copy when necessary.

​

Contact Us

Northern Virginia Trusts and Estates specializes in providing low-cost simple wills and advance medical directives sometimes known as a living will or (incorrectly) advanced medical directive, in Northern Virginia including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, Vienna, Centreville and other parts of NOVA. We never charge more than we advertise or by the hour, and we never charge based on the size of your estate. Contact us now for estate planning services in Virginia.