Health care directives, including the Living Will, Medical Power of Attorney, and HIPAA Medical Release, are crucial elements of every estate plan in Plano. One issue that does not come up very often when discussing health care directives, though, is mental health. Mental health falls into the realm of health care and, as such, is covered by health care directives.
Health care directives can be a great help to those suffering from mental health issues as it can allow a loved one to help make decisions about care, discuss treatments and medications with health care professionals, and fill out the documentation that’s sometimes necessary in order to receive needed health care services. Plano estate planning attorneys advise that when making these types of decisions regarding who will advocate on your behalf in health care situations, especially when mental health issues are a concern, it is important to choose someone you trust to carry out your wishes.
In cases where a person’s mental state will not allow them to sign a legal document, a guardianship hearing must be held at the probate court to give a caregiver the authority to make mental and physical health decisions for their loved ones. This can be a long and difficult process, and it would be wise to consult with an experienced Plano estate planning lawyer to determine what course of action would be best for your individual situation.
If you have questions about your health care directives, or if you’d like more information about how having health care directives can provide peace of mind when mental health issues are of a concern, please contact our Plano estate planning law firm at (214) 292-4225 to set up a consultation.