A Health Care Directive sets forth your wishes on the withholding or withdrawing of certain medical treatment when there is no expectation of your recovery from a terminal illness. Our office usually drafts this advance directive in the form of a "Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Health Care Directive.” A portion of that document sets forth your wishes, and another portion appoints an agent to carry out those wishes if you are unable to communicate them yourself.
How you want your Directive drafted is a very personal decision. Many individuals come to the conclusion that they do not want any life-prolonging procedures performed on them if they are persistently unconscious or if there is no reasonable expectation of their recovery. Others may want to specify certain procedures or treatment. The decision as to the particular wording and drafting of this document is something that you must discuss in detail with an attorney and your family.
Health Care Directives have recently received much attention in the news due to the Terri Schiavo court case. Terri did not have a Health Care Directive. If she had executed one of these documents, the endless court battles would probably not have occurred as her wishes would have been clearly expressed.
Drafting a detailed Health Care Directive usually removes a great burden from your relatives who may be faced with an extremely difficult decision.
The law office of Christopher P. Cox is well versed in the law surrounding these directives, can answer your questions and guide you through this sometimes complex maze. After a thorough consultation with you, the directive will be drafted to meet your specific needs.
Contact Us
For help with any of your Health Care Directive or estate planning needs, contact the Law Office of Christopher P. Cox, L.L.C. We accept credit cards, are located one block from the St. Louis County Courthouse, and charge reasonable fees. To contact us, call 314.450.8039 or 866.882.2556.
