What Is An Advance Directive?

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What Is An Advance Directive?

An Advance Directive enables you to guide your family and physician if you are unable to communicate with them. It allows you to control the extent to which lifesustaining medical measures will be used and can help you protect your loved ones from being forced to make those difficult decisions. A Living Will is NOT a property will. A Healthcare Proxy is a person you appoint to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. This person may make decisions that are not clearly stated in your Advance Directive.

Other Arkansas Estate Planning FAQs

Q: Are Advance Directives Only For Older People?
A: No, even young people can be involved in car accidents or have serious illness. Most of the court cases involving withholding of lifesupport treatments have … More
Q: Who Can Fill One Out?
A: Only competent persons age 18 or over can fill out an Advance Directive. If the person is not competent or is under 18, Arkansas law allows for proxy decision makers.
Q: Who Can Be A Witness?
A: Competent adults over 18, but not the person named as Proxy.
Q: Who Can Be The Proxy?
A: Generally any competent person over 18, but this person is usually a close relative or close friend. Your doctor usually does not want to be the proxy. Please write … More
Q: What To Do With The Living Will/Advance Directive?
A: Do NOT put it in a safe deposit box, and do mail it to the hospital. Please bring it with you each time you are hospitalized, just as you bring with you your insurance … More
Q: Withdrawing Specific Treatments
A: The advance directive specifically names several treatments that may be withdrawn if the patient is terminal. In filling out the living will, you are saying that any … More
Q: Can Life Support Treatments, Even Tube Feedings, Be Withheld Or Withdrawn Even If The Patient Does Not Have A Living Will/Advance Directive?
A: Yes, the patient may almost always refuse treatment for himself or herself. In addition, Arkansas law specifies who may make decisions for incompetent persons in the … More
Q: Can Unexpected Recoveries Happen?
A: Although there are occasional reports of unexplained recoveries from terminal illness, your responsibility is to make the best decision based on the most likely … More
Q: Is The Advance Directive Legal In Other States?
A: Maybe. Arkansas law recognizes most advance directives from other states, BUT other states may not recognize Arkansas Advance Directives.
Q: What If I Change My Mind?
A: If you change your mind about your Advance Directive, simply tear it up and tell your family and your physician.