Advance Medical Directives
Advance Medical Directives allow individuals to outline their medical preferences in case they become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. These legal documents ensure that medical decisions align with the individual’s desires and alleviate the burden on family members during difficult times. The two most common types of Advance Medical Directives in Florida are the Living Will and the Health Care Surrogate.
Living Will
A Living Will is a legal document that specifies what types of life-prolonging medical treatments a person wishes to receive or refuse if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness, an end-stage condition, or are in a persistent vegetative state. This document ensures that your medical preferences are honored without placing difficult decisions on your loved ones.
Health Care Surrogate
Having both a Living Will and a Health Care Surrogate in place provides clarity and security for you and your family. These directives ensure that your medical choices are respected while preventing disputes among family members about what course of action should be taken. By planning ahead, you take control of your future medical care and protect your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions without guidance.
Advance Medical Directives & Living Will
If you need assistance drafting an Advance Medical Directive, Jacobs & Jacobs, P.A. is here to help. Contact us today to ensure your wishes are legally protected and properly documented.
Under Florida law, a Living Will must comply with Florida Statutes Section 765.03. It must be properly executed and witnessed to be legally valid. Once created, it is advisable to provide copies to your primary care physician, hospital, and close family members to ensure it is accessible in an emergency. Without this Will, family members may face emotional distress and legal obstacles in making critical medical decisions on your behalf.
A Health Care Surrogate is a designated individual who is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. This person acts as your voice in medical settings, ensuring that doctors and hospitals follow your wishes regarding treatment, medication, and end-of-life care. The Health Care Surrogate designation should also include a HIPAA release, granting the surrogate access to confidential medical records. Without this authorization, privacy laws may prevent medical providers from sharing necessary information.
They treated me like family. Very patient and thorough attorneys.
Outstanding service. They explained everything so I understand.
They were very well prepared and explained everything in an understandable manner. I was very satisfied with the will and other paperwork they did for me.
I looked around and interviewed multiple attorneys, this firm was head & shoulders above the rest.
My experience with Melinda has been 100% positive. She is knowledgeable and friendly. She answered and explained very patiently all of my questions. The whole process was easy, simple, and fast! The secretary was kind, and conveyed all of my concerns to Melinda with accuracy, and took good care of me both over the phone, and in person. I cannot say enough good things about their services.
I am an attorney specializing in complex real estate transactions for the past 34 years. But when it came time to select an attorney to create a revocable living trust, I chose this law firm to assist me. They did an excellent job! Enough said!
My experience with Melinda has been 100% positive. She is knowledgeable and friendly. She answered and explained very patiently all of my questions. The whole process was easy, simple, and fast! The secretary was kind, and conveyed all of my concerns to Melinda with accuracy, and took good care of me both over the phone, and in person.
I was looking to obtain a will/trust and scheduled an appointment with Jacobs & Jacobs. I first met with Melinda where she explained in fine detail what was required to fulfill what I was requesting. Upon receiving a draft copy of all documents I then scheduled another appointment to finalize the agreement and met with Daryl. Both are very experienced and well versed in their profession.
Having moved from Massachusetts recently, I knew my Living Trust needed to be updated under Florida law. Jacobs & Jacobs made the process very understandable and affordable.
They made the process so easy and understandable for our family during a very difficult time. I highly recommend this law firm.
I was treated like family. From the receptionist who made my appointment (which was difficult due to my work schedule), to the lawyer who assisted with my estate plan.
My husband & I needed to update our NY last wills after relocating to Florida recently. After interviewing a number of lawyers we found this husband & wife team to be easy to work with & very professional. Their “special couples package” was exactly what we were looking for!
Our team is ready to assist with any estate planning you may need. Whether it’s drafting a will, navigating probate, or handling complex tax matters, Jacobs & Jacobs Law has the experience and compassion to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait—reach out today and let us provide the legal help you deserve.
Let us help you secure your future and protect what matters most.
If you can’t make it to one of our offices or prefer the convenience of online communication, don’t worry! You can contact us right here, right now. Fill out the form below, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.