Guide to Health Care Directives

Health care directives are complicated beasts. In today's video we'll talk about what comprises a health care directive. We'll also discuss what makes a good and bad health care directives. 

A few general tips:

• Avoid directives that just have you answer questions on a scale of one to five or one to ten. This does little more than confuse a health care agent, exactly when you should be making things clearer for them.

• Minnesota Health Care Directives should have language specifically addressing intrusive mental health treatments. If it doesn't have this, the directive is nothing more than an invitation into court.

• Make sure that your directive has a HIPAA waiver!!! Without it, the directive may be worth nothing more than the paper it is written on.

• Health Care Directives are outlining what decisions you want made when you are no longer capable of making those decisions yourself. They should take careful thought and consideration to fill out. If you are given a questionnaire that just seems too simplistic, maybe it is time to look for another lawyer.

Health care directives are vital parts of any estate plan. Everyone, young and old, should have one.  If you have questions about your health care directive or need help drafting one, please contact Signature Law for a free consultation.