Planning for life once you are gone is not as simple as merely drawing up a will to leave your assets and possessions to your loved ones. There are other matters that need addressing to make life easier for you and your family.

As provided for by Florida statute, here are some reasons why it is important to have an advanced directive.

An advanced directive helps you

According to Florida Statute 765.101(1), an advanced directive is either an oral or written statement stating your instructions for your desired future health care should you become incapacitated.

Executing an advanced directive helps you identify your choices in topics such as:

  • A living will
  • A designation of a health care surrogate
  • An anatomical gift

There may be attentional matters that you provide for in this document. Some people chose to have very specific instructions whereas others prefer to keep it more general.

Should you become incapacitated, this advanced directive then takes priority over your power of attorney. By selecting one or more individuals to act as healthcare agents to make decisions on your behalf, you are assuring that your wishes for medical care are carried out. It may also permit you to avoid unnecessary procedures or pain since you have specified your preferences.

An advanced directive helps your loved ones

By drawing up an advanced directive, you are sparing your loved ones from making agonizing decisions about your care. When you specifically state whether or not you wish medical staff to place you on a ventilator, for example, or which interventions you may not want, you are relieving your family of these considerations later on.

In addition to reducing pressure on them, you are also averting family squabbles over which route your care should take. Minimizing familial conflict truly helps your loved ones during a very difficult time.