Advance Health Directives – Do you really need one?

Advance Health Directives – Do you really need one?

Part of any proper estate planning is giving consideration to how healthcare decisions will be made if you are unable to make them yourself. Generally, this can be achieved through the use of enduring powers of attorney, which allow a person to appoint people to make (among other things) health decisions on their behalf if they are unable to. One of the potential shortcomings of enduring powers of attorney in Queensland is that you cannot give binding written directions to your attorney about serious matters such as the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment – your attorney can make decisions about these matters, but you cannot give them binding instructions in the enduring power of attorney. In these circumstances, you should consider advance health directives.

Part of any proper estate planning is giving consideration to how healthcare decisions will be made if you are unable to make them yourself.  Generally, this can be achieved through the use of enduring powers of attorney, which allow a person to appoint people to make (among other things) health decisions on their behalf if they are unable to.  One of the potential shortcomings of enduring powers of attorney in Queensland is that you cannot give binding written directions to your attorney about serious matters such as the withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment – your attorney can make decisions about these matters, but you cannot give them binding instructions in the enduring power of attorney.  In these circumstances, you should consider advance health directives.