{"id":159,"date":"2022-09-26T15:53:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T22:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/what-is-an-advanced-directive\/"},"modified":"2022-09-26T15:53:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T22:53:10","slug":"what-is-an-advanced-directive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/what-is-an-advanced-directive\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is An Advanced Directive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/advance_directive-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"advance directive document\" class=\"wp-image-569\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The following content is adapted from \u201cUnthinkable\u201d by attorney Kyle Bachus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a severely injured family member is in the Intensive Care Unit, intubated, unconscious, or in a medically-induced coma, they might not have the capacity to speak for themselves or make medical decisions. However, they may have an advanced directive that shares their wishes in the case of catastrophic injury. Here\u2019s what you need to know about advanced directives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the definition of an advanced directive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An advanced directive, also called a \u201cliving will,\u201d is a legally binding document that captures your loved one\u2019s wishes for situations in which they are unable to make their own medical decisions. The purpose is to tell family members what they want if it comes down to a life-and-death decision and to spare others from having to deal with the pressure of that choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, an advanced directive will tell you and the doctors what your loved one wants if they are ever critically injured and unable to share their decision. Like a will, an advanced directive is a legal document that doctors are obligated to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When is an advanced directive necessary?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a loved one suffers a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elitelitigationgroup.com\/catastrophic-injury-litigation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">catastrophic injury<\/a>, family members are left with several pressing questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How severe are the injuries?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What treatment is available?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Will your loved one reach a full recovery?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When can your loved one go home?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There is another crucial question you should ask during this difficult time: Is your loved one capable of making medical decisions? If the answer is no, it\u2019s time to ask whether they have an advanced directive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An advanced directive will explain your loved one\u2019s preferred medical decisions. It is used as a guide for doctors and other healthcare professionals. While it is not necessary to have, it is beneficial in cases where a family member is too injured or ill to speak for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do I locate my loved one\u2019s advanced directive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/locate_advanced_directive-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"locate my love one's advanced directive\" class=\"wp-image-571\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If your loved one never mentioned an advanced directive, it doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t have one. If a directive has been completed, it will most likely be with other important documents, such as their will or life insurance policy. You should look there first to see if you can locate the directive. You should also check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Filing cabinets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Desk drawers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, they may have filed the advanced directive with an attorney or a primary care doctor after completing it. Patients who are conscious when they get to the hospital but were quickly rushed into surgery may have filled one out before being put under for the procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does an advanced directive cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An advanced directive can cover several issues related to medical care and how they should be handled, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What medication is allowed or should be avoided<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether they want to be resuscitated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether a breathing machine or dialysis is allowed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If tube feeding is permitted<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When they want medical care to stop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the family can donate organs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In many cases, a durable power of attorney for healthcare<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all living wills are the same, so your loved one\u2019s directive may include more or less than others. Whatever they choose to include in the advanced directive, it\u2019s vital that you share it with the medical staff if they don\u2019t already have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does an advanced directive designate a decision-maker?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An advanced directive may include a \u201cdurable power of attorney for healthcare\u201d document. The purpose of this document is to designate a specific person who can make medical decisions on behalf of another person who is unable to speak for themselves. The document may even name a backup person if the initial choice is unavailable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common for people to appoint close family members to take on this vital role, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spouse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sibling<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adult child<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who makes the financial decisions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While a living will doesn\u2019t explain financial decisions itself, it usually comes with another document called a \u201crevocable living trust.\u201d Just as a person can appoint someone to make medical decisions on their behalf, they can also designate somebody to make financial decisions. The document may authorize this individual to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Access bank accounts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pay bills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Move funds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Handle other financial matters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, before the appointed person can make any financial decisions, a doctor will likely have to declare your loved one incapacitated. If your family member recovers and can once again make their own financial decisions, the authorization ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Representation for Catastrophic Injury Victims<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/legal_representation-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"legal representation for catastrophic injury victims\" class=\"wp-image-572\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When a loved one becomes severely injured in an accident, your life changes in an instant. Whether there is an advanced directive or not, the stress, worry, and financial burden of the situation can become overwhelming for you and your family. But there is help and support to get you through this difficult time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elitelitigationgroup.com\/catastrophic-injury-litigation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">catastrophic injury attorneys<\/a> with the Elite Litigation Group specialize in representing victims who are severely injured in an accident involving commercial trucks. If your family member suffered catastrophic injuries due to a commercial truck driver\u2019s negligence, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elitelitigationgroup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Elite Litigation Group<\/a> can help you fight for justice and get the compensation you deserve. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elitelitigationgroup.com\/#contact-form\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Contact their team<\/a> to schedule a no-obligation consultation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read about an advanced directive, a legal document that tells you and the doctors what your loved one wants if they are ever injured and unable to communicate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":160,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catastrophic-injury"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":10,"label":"Catastrophic Injury"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/advance_directive-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Angel Rosas","author_link":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/author\/arosas\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":10,"name":"Catastrophic Injury","slug":"catastrophic-injury","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":10,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":12,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":10,"category_count":12,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Catastrophic Injury","category_nicename":"catastrophic-injury","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kylebachus.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}