All too often families will avoid the discussions of end of life wishes and guardianship issues until an urgent life and death decision needs to be made. At that time, family members will face difficult decisions and can sometimes start fighting over emergency life and death decisions of their loved one. These end of life guardianship battles can be extremely nasty and permanently rip families apart. As such, it is typically best to have a Texas Directive to Physicians or Advance Directives (formerly called Living Will).
Texas Directive to Physicians or Advance Directives (formerly called Living Will) are a written statement of your wishes regarding the use, withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment, nutrition and hydration. If you have a terminal condition and are incapable of making decisions for yourself at that time, this medical directive will help guide your family as to how you wish to proceed. Additionally, you may want to designate a person or persons that know your specific wishes with a Medical Power of Attorney, Springing Durable Power of Attorney, and HIPPA Authorization. Anyone that goes into a hospital for surgery should probably have a person that can watch out over them in the hospital and make sure that they have the above documents just in case.
For questions on Texas Probate matters, feel free to use our Texas Probate Lawyer Contact Form or please send an e-mail message to Texas Probate lawyer Jason S. Coomer