End-of-Life Care Decision Making With Medical Directives

Just as we create estate plans for our eventual demise, we also need to plan ahead for the possibility that we will become sick and unable to make our own medical decisions. Medical science has created many miracles, among them the technology to keep patients alive longer, sometimes indefinitely. As a result of many well-publicized “right to die” cases, states have made it possible for individuals to give detailed instructions regarding the kind of care they would like to receive should they become terminally ill or are in a permanently unconscious state. These instructions fall under the general category of “end-of-life care decision making.” In New Jersey, this may take the form of a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

It is so important to have someone who can speak for you when you can’t speak for yourself so that the type of care you want is the type of care you get.  Doctors are obligated to keep you alive despite what you may wish and these documents can help you receive or not receive the care you desire.

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Todd Murphy

Todd Murphy is an estate planning lawyer in Morristown New Jersey where he helps modern families of all ages plan for the future.

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