Advance health directives across San Diego County
An advance health care directive names the person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself, and records your preferences for end-of-life care. We match San Diego County residents with vetted, licensed estate-planning attorneys who draft advance directives that comply with California law and are accepted by hospitals and medical providers throughout the county.
What's included in this service?
- Draft a California advance health care directive naming a healthcare agent to make medical decisions if you become unable to make them yourself
- Record your preferences for life-sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition, pain management, and organ donation
- Include a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) guidance section for those who already have a POLST or wish to coordinate the two documents
- Advise on the selection of a healthcare agent and an alternate agent in case the primary agent is unable or unwilling to serve
- Ensure the document meets California Health and Safety Code requirements for hospitals and medical providers to recognize and follow
- Coordinate the advance directive with the durable power of attorney and the rest of the estate plan
When do you need this service?
- You want to name someone you trust to make healthcare decisions if you are unconscious or unable to communicate your own wishes
- You have preferences about end-of-life care, including life support, artificial nutrition, or hospice, and want them documented legally
- You are scheduled for surgery or anticipate a medical procedure and want a directive in place before it happens
- You are aging and want your family members to know your wishes without conflict or guessing at the time of a medical crisis
- Your existing directive is more than a few years old, was signed in another state, or does not name the person you currently trust with these decisions
What do homeowners ask about Health directives?
What is an advance health care directive in California?
California's advance health care directive is a legal document authorized by the California Health and Safety Code. It combines a healthcare power of attorney (naming an agent) with a living will (recording treatment preferences). It is accepted by hospitals, medical providers, and long-term care facilities throughout California when the principal is unable to make their own healthcare decisions.
Who should I name as my healthcare agent?
Your healthcare agent should be a trusted adult who is willing to advocate for your stated preferences even under pressure from family members or medical providers. Your agent should be someone who can make difficult decisions in a stressful environment. California law prohibits your healthcare provider or their employees from serving as your agent unless they are related to you by blood or marriage.
What is the difference between an advance directive and a POLST in California?
An advance health care directive is a legal document you sign while healthy to record your general medical preferences and name a healthcare agent. A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a physician-signed medical order for patients with a serious illness who want specific treatment orders in place. The two documents work together, and the attorney we match you with advises on how to coordinate them if you already have or need a POLST.
Does my advance directive work if I am hospitalized outside California?
California law does not automatically require other states to honor a California advance directive, though many do. If you spend significant time in another state, the attorney we match you with may recommend a supplemental directive that complies with that state's laws as well. For most San Diego residents, a California advance directive covers the medical situations most likely to arise.
Are the attorneys you match licensed in California to draft advance directives?
The estate-planning attorneys we match are licensed members of the State Bar of California. You can verify any California attorney at calbar.ca.gov before signing a fee agreement. Trust Law SD is a referral service and is not a law firm.
Where do we offer Health directives in San Diego County?
We provide health directives in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See health directives in all 67 cities
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Need health directives in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.