What To Do With The Living Will/Advance Directive?
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 card and/or Medicare cards. Please give a copy to your doctor and your family members so that they can discuss it with you if they wish. Put the advance directive in a place it can be easily found if you are hospitalized in an emergency. Someone close to you who would be likely to accompany you to the hospital should have a copy.
Other Arkansas Estate Planning FAQs
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Q:
What Is An Advance Directive?
A: 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 …
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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 …
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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.
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Q:
Who Can Be A Witness?
A: Competent adults over 18, but not the person named as Proxy.
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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 …
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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A: The advance directive specifically names several treatments that may be withdrawn if the patient is terminal.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 …
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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Can Life Support Treatments, Even Tube Feedings, Be Withheld Or Withdrawn Even If The Patient Does Not Have A Living Will/Advance Directive?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 …
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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 …
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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.
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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.
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