Health Care Directives & Living Wills

St. Petersburg Health Care Directives & Living Wills Attorney

Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys

Elder law includes estate planning, yet has a more comprehensive focus on advance directives – documents prepared to continue your wishes in case you are incapacitated.

Advance directives include:

  • Living wills
  • Health care surrogate designations
  • Directives to physicians
  • Advance directives for mental health matters

Learn more about health care directives and living wills during a consultation with our estate planning attorneys in St. Petersburg. Call (727) 240-2350 or contact us online today.

What Is a Living Will?

A living will expresses to doctors and other medical professionals a person’s wishes regarding the use of life-sustaining medical procedures under three conditions in Florida:

  • An end-stage condition
  • Terminal condition
  • And a persistent vegetative state

A living will is NOT a substitute for a health care surrogate or durable medical power of attorney.

Living wills can be written in general or very specific terms. Elder law attorneys are typically more knowledgeable about many different circumstances for which a living will may be indicated.

Living wills should not be merely simple forms but should be as thorough as possible in communicating an individual’s wishes.

What Is A Health Care Surrogate Designation?

The Health Care Surrogate Designation is a powerful document that can be used by your surrogate (the person you name) to assist you when you are unable to make your own medical decisions.

What Can a Surrogate Do?

The surrogate can access medical information and assist in making medical decisions when you need it, then, if you no longer need assistance, step out until you need help again. With a health care surrogate in place, medical staff will be able to provide your named surrogate with full information about your health status.

The surrogate can also hire medical personnel for you, access insurance information, and make a variety of important decisions on your behalf.

What If I Do Not Name a Surrogate?

If you do not name a person to make decisions for you at the time you need them, two things could happen:

  • Either the hospital could designate a Health Care Proxy to make decisions for you
  • Or a court could appoint a guardian

In both cases, there are various limitations made upon the decision maker and someone who does not know you will choose your decision maker for you.

Reach out to our team online or give us a call at (727) 240-2350 to schedule a consultation with an experienced St. Petersburg estate planning lawyer at HKH Elder Law.

    "HKH Elder Law guided us through the complications patiently, and efficiently. The words that come to mind are professionalism, flexibility, people skills, integrity, and responsiveness. Great experience - highly recommend!"
    HKH Elder Law guided us through the complications patiently, and efficiently. The words that come to mind are professionalism, flexibility, people skills, integrity, and responsiveness. Great experience - highly recommend!
    - Marcia F.
    "Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects including Medicare, Medicaid, will, estate planning."
    Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects including Medicare, Medicaid, will, estate planning.”Experts in their field. Very knowledgeable. Offer free zoom meetings that cover so many subjects inc
    - Ursula R.
    "She and her entire team truly care about their clients."
    She and her entire team truly care about their clients.
    - Chelsie L.
    "They will make things clear and simple for you."
    As a family member who has provided support for seven family members as they moved through the continuum of being healthy and independent to requiring end-of-life care, I can heartily recommend the Hill and Kinsella Law Firm. I was referred to April Hill by my own stellar estate planning attorney when I needed assistance with my parents in the Tampa Bay area. I couldn't be more pleased with the entire process for creating updated documents to the execution of those documents to follow-up counsel in applying the documents. If you are considering an attorney/firm to help you with this part of your life or are a family member who needs guidance, call Hill and Kinsella. They will make things clear and simple for you.
    - Tracy S.
    "April's knowledge, professionalism along with her warm and caring understanding of the emotions involved in trying to do the very best for my mother was exemplary!"
    April rescued me with helping my mother transition into an assisted living facility plus deal with an unruly family member. April's knowledge, professionalism along with her warm and caring understanding of the emotions involved in trying to do the very best for my mother was exemplary! My family and I will forever be grateful to April! My husband and I have done our will through April and we always recommend her to friends and family. God bless you and your very capable staff!
    - Patricia C.
    "I would recommend their firm for the best Elder Law professional service..."
    Over the years Hill & Kinsella have professionally assisted with my legal needs and I would recommend their firm for the best Elder Law professional service in Pinellas County.
    - Michael C.
    "[April] has well-advised me and I am grateful for her knowledge and help for my future."
    Thanks to April Hill, my sisters and I were able to better take care of Mom and when she passed, handle her affairs more easily. Now that it was time for me to revise my will, I came to April. She has well-advised me and I am grateful for her knowledge and help for my future. When the time comes that my family has to deal with my estate, their work will be easier for this planning. Having settled estates for two of my relatives myself, I can provide my loved ones with an easier time taking care of things when I am gone. Thanks, April for your help!
    - Ginger P.
    "Wonderful Services"
    April and her team were asked to take over my mother's estate as my previous attorney was unable to finish. April & Team were wonderful. This was not a run of the mill probate. There were several issues left hanging by my previous attorney and April cleared everything up quickly. Hill & Kinsella is a great law firm. I'm so grateful our paths crossed.
    - Former Client

Why Hire HKH Elder Law

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