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St. Petersburg Probate & Estate Attorneys / St. Petersburg Advance Directive Attorney

St. Petersburg Advance Directive Attorney

Growing older does not have to come with a loss of control. Many people fear what will happen if they develop dementia or another disease which renders them unable to communicate their wishes. Families often break out in intense conflict when Mom or Dad ends up in the hospital and difficult choices need to be made regarding whether to prolong care.

Fortunately, Florida allows individuals to take control of their medical care today using advance directives. Contact Fisher & Wilsey, P.A., to discuss how these documents fit into your overall estate plan. A St. Petersburg advance directive attorney can draft these documents so they withstand legal challenges, providing greater peace of mind today knowing your wishes will be honored.

How You Benefit from Advance Directives

The main types of advance directives include:

  • Living wills. You can spell out what medical procedures you want when you can no longer make your wishes known, whether through disability or a terminal illness. For example, you might not want any artificial feeding tube inserted when you are incapacitated. Your medical team must honor the directions spelled out in a valid living will.
  • Health care surrogate designation. You can choose someone to act as your surrogate—essentially, speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself. If you were to become incapacitated, your surrogate steps in to make decisions.
  • Anatomical donation. You can use this document to indicate if you want to donate any organs or tissue after you pass.

With a little planning now, our clients reap tremendous benefits later.

Reduced Conflict

Advance directives provide clarity about what care you should receive. By choosing a surrogate, you also invest in someone the power to make choices for you. Advance directives help preempt family conflicts during a crisis. More than one family has seen their fabric torn apart as children fight over whether to remove a feeding tube or keep a parent on artificial respiration.

By making these choices now—or investing power in one person—you can pre-empt these disputes and minimize family conflict.

Peace of Mind

Growing older often comes with an inability to make your voice heard, but advance directives can help. Our clients benefit from knowing their wishes will be honored and their care will align with their values, even when they cannot express their wishes to their medical team.

Reduced Medical Expense

Without an advance directive, doctors will follow their oath and do almost anything to keep you alive. The cost of end-of-life care can be enormous. Creating clear advance directives can potentially minimize the financial burden on your estate after you pass.

Plan for the Future with Fisher & Wilsey, P.A.

One misconception about advance directives is that you lose control as soon as you sign a document. In reality, patients can continue to direct their care as long as they are able. Advance directives will kick in when you cannot express your desires.

Do you have questions? Call our office to speak with a St. Petersburg advance directive attorney in a consultation.

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