Top Advance Directives Creation Services in Pembroke Pines
Medical emergencies don't come with warnings. When you can't speak for yourself, who will make healthcare decisions on your behalf? Advance Directives give you control over your medical care by documenting your wishes ahead of time and appointing someone you trust to act on your behalf. At Carol L. Grant, P.A., we help adults of all ages in Pembroke Pines create clear, legally binding documents that protect your healthcare preferences and spare your family from difficult, emotionally charged decisions. Whether you're planning for the future, dealing with a serious illness, or simply want peace of mind, we'll make sure your voice is heard when it matters most. Don't leave your medical care up to chance or family disagreement. Call us today at (954) 404-8274 to schedule a consultation and take control of your healthcare decisions in Pembroke Pines.
Who Needs Advance Directives in South Florida?
Advance Directives aren't just for the elderly or seriously ill, they're for anyone who wants to ensure their healthcare wishes are respected. If you're an adult of any age, you should have these documents in place. Medical emergencies, accidents, and sudden illnesses happen every day, and without Advance Directives, your family may be forced to make gut-wrenching decisions without knowing what you would have wanted. We work with families planning for medical emergencies, seniors concerned about end-of-life care, and anyone who wants to avoid putting their loved ones in an impossible position. Whether you're in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Davie, Cooper City, Miramar, or Hollywood, we're here to help you create documents that give you control and your family clarity.
What to Expect When Creating Advance Directives
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start by discussing your healthcare preferences, values, and concerns. This helps us understand what matters most to you and who you trust to make decisions on your behalf.
Step 2: Document Preparation
We'll draft your Advance Directives, including a Living Will (which outlines your end-of-life care preferences) and a Healthcare Surrogate designation (which appoints someone to make medical decisions if you're unable to do so).
Step 3: Review and Signing
We walk you through each document to make sure you understand what you're signing and that it accurately reflects your wishes. We'll also ensure the documents are properly executed according to Florida law.
Step 4: Distribution and Updates
We'll help you distribute copies to your healthcare surrogate, family members, and healthcare providers. We also recommend reviewing your Advance Directives every few years or whenever your situation changes.
Benefits of Advance Directives
Ensure Your Healthcare Wishes Are Known and Followed
Advance Directives give you the power to document exactly what kind of medical care you do, or don't, want. Whether it's resuscitation, feeding tubes, ventilators, or pain management, your preferences will be clear and legally binding. This means doctors and hospitals must respect your choices, even when you can't communicate them yourself.
Avoid Putting Your Family in an Impossible Position
When someone becomes incapacitated without Advance Directives, family members are left to guess what their loved one would have wanted. This often leads to disagreements, guilt, and emotional turmoil at an already difficult time. By documenting your wishes now, you spare your family from having to make those heartbreaking decisions without guidance.
Prevent Unwanted Medical Interventions
Not everyone wants aggressive life-saving measures or prolonged life support. Advance Directives allow you to specify which treatments you're comfortable with and which ones you want to refuse. This ensures you receive care that aligns with your values and beliefs, rather than defaulting to procedures you would never have chosen.
Give a Trusted Person Legal Authority to Act on Your Behalf
A Healthcare Surrogate designation appoints someone you trust, a spouse, adult child, or close friend, to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so. This person becomes your legal advocate, ensuring doctors follow your wishes and making judgment calls on issues you didn't specifically address in your Living Will.
Provide Peace of Mind for You and Your Family
Knowing your healthcare preferences are documented and legally protected brings real relief. You can face the future with confidence, and your family can focus on supporting you rather than arguing over what you would have wanted. Advance Directives are an act of love, they protect both you and the people who care about you most.
Common Questions About Advance Directives
What is an Advance Directive and why do I need one?
An Advance Directive is a legal document that outlines your healthcare wishes and appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to communicate. In Florida, Advance Directives typically include two components: a Living Will, which specifies your preferences for end-of-life care, and a Healthcare Surrogate designation, which names the person who will make medical decisions for you. You need these documents because medical emergencies can happen at any age. Without Advance Directives, your family may be forced to make difficult decisions without knowing your wishes, and doctors may provide care you wouldn't have chosen. Having these documents in place ensures your voice is heard even when you can't speak.
What's the difference between a Living Will and a Healthcare Surrogate?
A Living Will is a document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in specific situations, particularly end-of-life care. It tells doctors whether you want life-prolonging procedures like resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or artificial nutrition if you're terminally ill or permanently unconscious. A Healthcare Surrogate designation, on the other hand, appoints a trusted person to make medical decisions for you when you're unable to do so yourself. This person steps in for any healthcare decision you can't make, not just end-of-life situations. Together, these documents give you control over your medical care and ensure someone you trust can advocate for you when needed.
Can I change my Advance Directives after I create them?
Yes, absolutely. You can update or revoke your Advance Directives at any time as long as you're mentally competent. Life circumstances change, you might want to choose a different Healthcare Surrogate, adjust your treatment preferences, or update your documents to reflect new medical information. We recommend reviewing your Advance Directives every few years or after major life events like a divorce, the death of your Healthcare Surrogate, or a serious health diagnosis. When you want to make changes, we'll help you execute new documents and ensure they're properly distributed to your healthcare providers and family members.
What happens if I don't have Advance Directives?
Without Advance Directives, your family may have to go to court to establish guardianship if you become incapacitated and can't make medical decisions. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining, and it may not result in the person you would have chosen being appointed as your guardian. Even if your family agrees on who should make decisions, they'll still have to guess what you would have wanted. This often leads to conflict, guilt, and decisions that don't align with your values. Advance Directives prevent all of this by documenting your wishes and appointing your Healthcare Surrogate ahead of time.
Do hospitals and doctors have to follow my Advance Directives?
Yes, in Florida, healthcare providers are legally required to honor your Advance Directives as long as they're properly executed and available at the time treatment decisions need to be made. If a doctor or facility is unwilling to follow your wishes due to moral or religious objections, they must transfer your care to a provider who will. That's why it's important to make sure your Healthcare Surrogate, family members, and primary care physician all have copies of your documents. We help you distribute your Advance Directives to ensure they're accessible when needed.
How much does it cost to create Advance Directives?
The cost of creating Advance Directives is typically modest, especially when compared to the emotional and financial toll of not having them in place. Fees depend on whether you're creating standalone documents or including them as part of a broader estate plan. We offer an initial consultation to understand your needs and provide a clear quote. Many clients choose to create Advance Directives alongside other documents like Powers of Attorney and Wills, which can be more cost-effective than creating each document separately.
Areas We Serve
Carol L. Grant, P.A. proudly serves individuals and families throughout Pembroke Pines and the surrounding communities. Whether you're in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Davie, Cooper City, Weston, Miramar, or Hollywood, we're here to help you create Advance Directives that protect your healthcare wishes and give your family clarity. Our office is conveniently located in Pembroke Pines, and we're committed to providing personalized, compassionate legal guidance to clients across Broward County and Miami-Dade County.
Schedule Your Advance Directives Consultation Today
Don't wait until it's too late to protect your healthcare wishes. Whether you're planning ahead or responding to a health concern, now is the time to create Advance Directives that ensure your voice is heard and your family has the guidance they need. At Carol L. Grant, P.A., we'll help you document your preferences and appoint someone you trust to advocate for you when it matters most. Call us today at (954) 404-8274 to schedule a consultation and take control of your medical care decisions.