Advance Healthcare Directives

Our Atlanta estate planning attorneys help clients across Georgia create Advance Directives for Health Care that ensure their medical wishes are honored.

The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care combines two essential elements of any estate plan: a power of attorney for health care and a living will.

You always have the right to control your medical treatment. However, if you can’t communicate with your health care provider, someone else will need to make medical decisions on your behalf.

The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care addresses this scenario by allowing you to do the following:

(1) choose a health care agent;
(2) nominate a guardian;
(3) state your wishes for end-of-life medical care; and
(4) state your preferences for after death.

By outlining your health care preferences, the Advance Directive for Health Care reduces confusion and disagreements among your loved ones. Don’t wait until a medical emergency strikes. Take the time to understand your options and put your plan in place.

Choose a Health Care Agent

A health care agent is someone you appoint to make medical decisions for you if you cannot or prefer not to make them yourself. Your agent would have the same authority to make medical decisions as you would. For example, they may consent to any type of health care, refuse medical treatment, and admit you to a hospital. You may name one primary agent and also select alternates. Most people choose a spouse, family member, or close friend who knows them well and can be trusted to follow their wishes.

Keep in mind, a Georgia health care power of attorney does not cover financial matters. For that, you will need a financial power of attorney.

Nominate a Guardian

If a Georgia court determines you cannot make decisions about your support, safety, or welfare, it will appoint a guardian. The Advance Directive allows you to nominate the person you would want. By doing so, you give the court clear guidance about your preferences.

Many people choose the person they named as their agent. If you nominate someone else, your health care agent will usually have final authority on medical decisions unless a court decides otherwise.

State Your End-of-Life Wishes

The living will section allows you to state your preferences about life-sustaining treatment if you cannot communicate your wishes in an end-of-life situation. While these decisions can be difficult to contemplate, your instructions provide clarity and guidance to your loved ones during a difficult time and ensure that you always have a voice in your care.

Record Your Preferences After Death

The Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care allows you to designate your preferences with respect to an autopsy, organ donation, body donation, and final disposition of your body.