ADVANCED DIRECTIVES

Texas and federal laws give every competent adult, 18 years or older, the right to make their own health care decisions, including the right to decide what medical care of treatment to accept, reject or discontinue. ADVANCED DIRECTIVES are documents which state your choices about medical treatment or name someone to make decisions, if you are unable to make these decisions or choices yourself. It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to prepare any documents. Before you make any decision, you should discuss your feelings with those people who are closest to you and are involved in your care, including your family and your doctor.  After you have completed an Advanced Directive, you may also choose to revoke it at any time.

The following directives may be executed by an individual:

• Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates
• Directive to Physicians for someone who has not issued a directive and is incompetent or incapable of communication.
• Medical Power of Attorney - To speak to medical staff
• Our of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate
• Business Power of Attorney - To pay bills

Other:  Wills
             Look into Trusts - depending on net value it might be worth it

• Bypass trusts
• Special needs trusts
• Spendthrift trusts
• Life insurance trusts
• Charitable remainder trusts
• QTIP trusts
• Living trusts - Do you want your assets to go directly to your heirs, avoiding the costs, delay and publicity of probate?
• Generation-skipping trusts