• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Advance Directive wording

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

LOST V3GAS

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NV

I'm 30 years old and working on a living will for myself. I'd appreciate any constructive advice on the narrative I've come up with to include in the document. Unfortunately for me almost all the templates available in books and the internet aren't really geared towards my beliefs. Please let me know what you think. I'm not looking to debate beliefs so if you disagree with mine, please keep it to yourself. I'm looking for good legal advice:


By most definitions I consider myself an agnostic. While I would like to be comforted by the idea of an afterlife, in the absence of conclusive evidence I assume there is not until proven otherwise. It is this belief that creates the foundation of my will to live. I don’t want to die as for me this would mark lights out, game over, and no continue. I’m willing and prepared to endure extended periods of pain, discomfort, and extremely invasive tests and procedures for an opportunity at continued life. In an effort to extend my life as long as possible, I would elect to use all available life-sustaining treatments and other medical interventions that in reasonable medical judgment would prevent or delay my death. All that being said, I realize my wishes are selfish and may have negative effects on family, friends, and loved-ones alike. It is for this reason that I empower my elected agent to make a decision on life-sustaining treatments in an end of life scenario that he/she feels is best for all those involved. Simply put, I’m asking for serious due diligence before the decision to “pull the plug” is made.

I respectfully request when possible the following actions take place prior to my elected agent making a final decision. Should my estates financial resources be inadequate to fulfill any and/or all of the following wishes, I ask that my elected agent do their best, at no cost to the agent or others, to satisfy the intent of my requests.

1). Where practical, I be transferred to a leading hospital and/or health care facility that specializes in the treatment of my condition.

2). Where practical, I be evaluated by a minimum of (3) healthcare specialists who are recognized authorities in their respective fields of medicine.

3). Where practical, experimental and alternative treatments be considered and executed.

4). Where practical, in the event that I’m in a coma and not expected to recover a minimum period of (1) year is allowed to pass while kept alive artificially and then I be re-evaluated by a minimum of (3) healthcare specialists for signs of improvement and/or potential alternative treatment options.

5). Where practical, in the event that I’m being kept alive artificially for any length of time I discourage family, friends, and loved-ones alike to visit me during that period until a decision to suspend life-sustaining treatments has been made in which case I welcome those who wish to be present but do not expect or wish it.

6). Where practical, in the event that I’m being kept alive artificially for any length of time, a third party personal advocate be employed out of my estate to ensure that I’m treated with dignity and respect by the healthcare facility and providers. This individual is selected and hired by my agent and is ideally a person of faith who demonstrates strong character and good moral values. Ideally this person visits me regularly to provide peace of my mind to family, friends, and loved ones alike that that I’m getting the treatment I’m intended to receive. Ideally, this advocate reports weekly to my agent unless there’s a problem that requires immediate attention.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
 


Proserpina

Senior Member
You do understand that any given provider is not obliged to actually treat per your wishes, right?

They must follow a properly executed DNR - that is for sure. But you cannot command a provider to treat condition X if THEY don't think further (or any specific) treatment is appropriate.
 

LOST V3GAS

Junior Member
You do understand that any given provider is not obliged to actually treat per your wishes, right?

They must follow a properly executed DNR - that is for sure. But you cannot command a provider to treat condition X if THEY don't think further (or any specific) treatment is appropriate.

Indeed, but i'm not talking about a provider. I'm giving direction to my appointed "agent" who has been given power of attorney to make medical decisions on my behalf that is how I feel and what I would want. I'm basically asking them to find doctors who are willing to treat a given condition when possible and to ensure at least 3 opinions are rendered and considered. Does that make sense?
 

tranquility

Senior Member
See an attorney. You are not going to get a legally enforceable document which will make all your wishes come true. It is likely you will need a durable health care power of attorney and choose a person who you can trust. Then you'll have to spend the time explaining your wishes to them and then rely on them to follow them out. If there is great concern, there may be some "protector" who has no power, but who can remove the POA if he feels he is not fulfilling your wishes.

None of it will be cheap or easy. If you don't have to the money to pay for the extremely high level of services you seem to be wanting, you will not be able to make the legal framework to demand what it seems you want. If you do, see an attorney and pay for something which should work.

(I'm not going to argue with those who feel a writing will suffice. Hey, point out the statute too. You know the one where the guy has to do the thing. It's just that, only if there is a person who will object, will anyone even look at such writings. You need someone who is responsible and who will try to make your wishes come true.)
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top