Call: 781.996.5656
781.996.5656
info@MBAKERLaw.com        COVID-19: Phone and Virtual Consultations Available
Baker Law Group P.C. – Estate PlanningBaker Law Group P.C. – Estate PlanningBaker Law Group P.C. – Estate PlanningBaker Law Group P.C. – Estate Planning
  • Home
  • Practice Areas
    • Estate Planning
      • Overview
      • Estate Planning Attorneys
      • High Net Worth Estates
      • Asset Protection
      • Durable Powers of Attorney
      • Homestead Declaration
      • Trust Types Explained
      • Retirement Accounts
      • Healthcare Proxy / Medical Directive
      • Living Wills
    • Elder Law
      • Overview
      • Asset Protection and Elder Law
      • Life Estate Deed
      • Masshealth / Medicaid
      • Long-Term Care / Nursing Home
      • VA Benefits
      • FAQS for Elder Law (MA)
      • Elder Law Attorneys
    • Trust, Will & Estate Administration
      • Overview
      • Estate Administration Wrongful Death
      • Federal Estate Tax
      • Probate Attorneys FAQ
    • Guardianship and Conservator
      • Guardianship Attorney
    • Premarital Agreements
    • Business Planning
      • Selecting a Business Structure
      • Business Asset Protection
      • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
    • Massachusetts Lottery Trusts
  • Baker Law Group
    • About Us
    • Attorney Profiles
  • Client Reviews
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • 781-996-5656

COVID-19 Highlights the Importance of a Living Will and Advance Health Care Directives

    Home Healthcare Proxy COVID-19 Highlights the Importance of a Living Will and Advance Health Care Directives
    NextPrevious
    Doctor in hospital meets with family member who is seated on a couch

    COVID-19 Highlights the Importance of a Living Will and Advance Health Care Directives

    By Michael Baker | Healthcare Proxy, Living Will | Comments are ClosedJune 2, 2020 | 0

    The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to confront their mortality, and their health care directives, in a more serious way than they ever have before. The serious health outcomes associated with the virus can include life-threatening respiratory conditions, long-term stays in hospitals and incapacitation.

    Given the threat the virus poses, there has never been a better time to update or establish a living will and other important healthcare directives.

    What is a living will?

    A living will is a type of estate planning document that serves as a written record of your personal wishes regarding certain types of medical care. In the document, you can specify the kinds of medical care you do or do not want to receive in certain circumstances. The purpose is to have your wishes on file in the event you become incapacitated and unable to speak on your own behalf.

    A living will is best used in conjunction with a health care proxy, referred to in some states as a durable power of attorney for health care. This document allows you to name a chosen agent who communicates with doctors on your behalf if you are unable to do so. They will also make decisions about your healthcare based on instructions you leave in your living will or other advance directives or estate planning documents.

    Issues to consider with your health care directives during the pandemic

    It’s always important to be as comprehensive as possible with your advance directives, but there are some issues you will need to pay particular attention to during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example:

    • Communication with doctors: Your healthcare agent will need to be able to communicate with your doctors. In-person conversations may be tricky while there are restrictions on who can enter hospitals. You should make sure your documents allow for communication via phone, email or video conference so these important conversations can happen despite social distancing requirements.
    • Coronavirus-specific treatment wishes: Treatment for the novel coronavirus may require the use of a ventilator, which involves providing oxygen to the patient through a tube. If you already have an advance directive stating you do not wish to be intubated, you should amend your document to provide an exception for the coronavirus. In treatment for the virus, intubation may be necessary in some cases even when the outlook for the patient is good.
    • Witnesses: Some documents require signature by witnesses or a notary public, but getting those signatures may be difficult while social distancing. First, it is important to note that if healthcare providers have clear evidence of your wishes, they are required to follow through with those wishes, even if your documents are not properly witnessed or notified. So having your wishes in writing, even if you can’t get the signatures you need, is still important. But it may also be possible for you to have forms faxed or e-signed.

    For more information about developing a health care proxy, living will and advance directives during the pandemic, contact us today at Baker Law Group. View attorney profiles.

    We offer a complimentary initial consultation.

    Online form to schedule consultation or

    781-996-5656 Call

    800-701-0352 Call Toll free

    info@MBakerLaw.com

    Healthcare Proxy, Life Support Treatment, living will

    Related Post

    • Man and woman having coffee to discuss medical preferences. Photo is close up of their hands holding the coffee cups

      Conversations about Medical Preferences are Difficult but Necessary for Well-Planned Estates

      By Michael Baker | Comments are Closed

      Estate planning is not just about protecting your financial assets and leaving behind your possessions to your heirs. It is also about making important healthcare decisions that may protect you as you age or becomeRead more

    • Man and woman at home having a Doctor online video chat.

      Doctors Encourage Healthcare Proxy Documents

      By Michael Baker | Comments are Closed

      For many years, medical professionals have encouraged patients to develop advance healthcare directives and set up healthcare proxy documents. With the spread of COVID-19, these recommendations more imperative than ever before. What is a HealthcareRead more

    • Grandfather Giving Granddaughter Ride On Shoulders As They Walk Through Sand Dunes With Grandmother

      The 5 Most Important Estate Planning Documents

      By Michael Baker | Comments are Closed

      If you are preparing to create an estate plan for the first time, it’s important to include all of the most essential estate planning documents and directives in your plan. Your attorney will guide youRead more

    • elder abuse

      Tips to Help You Spot and Confront Elder Abuse

      By mbaker | Comments are Closed

      It is an unfortunate reality that many seniors will become victims of elder abuse, and that these incidents of elder abuse add more than $5 billion per year to healthcare expenses in the United States.Read more

    • Grandparents standing on a dock with water behind them, holding 2 grandchildren

      What to Include in Your Advance Directives

      By mbaker | Comments are Closed

      An Advance Directive allows you to dictate the kinds of treatments you do and do not want at the end of your life. It comprises documents such as a health care proxy (or health careRead more

    NextPrevious

    Schedule a Free Consultation

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Recent Posts

    • Best 2021 New Year’s Resolution for Your Family
    • What to Know about Federal Estate Taxes
    • Why You Need More than a Will for Estate Planning
    • Durable Power of Attorney – Avoiding Conservator Appointment

    BLOG Article Categories:

    Explore Baker Law Group P.C.

    Estate Planning

    Elder Law

    Trusts, Wills and Estate Administration

    Guardianship and Conservator

    Premarital Agreements

    Business Planning

    Boston/South Shore Office

    72 Sharp St, Suite A5
    Hingham, Massachusetts 02043
    800-701-0352
     
    View Map/Directions
    Write a Review

    MetroWest/Boston Office

    841 Washington Street
    Holliston, Massachusetts 01746
    800-701-0352
     
    View Map/Directions
    Write a Review

    Southeastern MA Office

    130 Liberty Street, Suite 2A
    Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
    800-701-0352
     
    View Map/Directions
    Write a Review

    Plymouth/Cape Cod Office

    36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 217
    Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360
    800-701-0352
     
    View Map/Directions
    Write a Review
    DISCLAIMER: Material presented on the this website is intended for information purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice and should not be construed as such. The services of a competent professional should be sought if legal or other specific assistance is required. Some links within this website may lead to other sites and Baker Law Group, P.C. does not necessarily sponsor, endorse or otherwise approve of the materials appearing in such sites.

    MBAKERLaw.com Copyright 2020 Baker Law Group Privacy Policy | Site by: BWG | All Rights Reserved
    • Home
    • Practice Areas
      • Estate Planning
        • Overview
        • Estate Planning Attorneys
        • High Net Worth Estates
        • Asset Protection
        • Durable Powers of Attorney
        • Homestead Declaration
        • Trust Types Explained
        • Retirement Accounts
        • Healthcare Proxy / Medical Directive
        • Living Wills
      • Elder Law
        • Overview
        • Asset Protection and Elder Law
        • Life Estate Deed
        • Masshealth / Medicaid
        • Long-Term Care / Nursing Home
        • VA Benefits
        • FAQS for Elder Law (MA)
        • Elder Law Attorneys
      • Trust, Will & Estate Administration
        • Overview
        • Estate Administration Wrongful Death
        • Federal Estate Tax
        • Probate Attorneys FAQ
      • Guardianship and Conservator
        • Guardianship Attorney
      • Premarital Agreements
      • Business Planning
        • Selecting a Business Structure
        • Business Asset Protection
        • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
      • Massachusetts Lottery Trusts
    • Baker Law Group
      • About Us
      • Attorney Profiles
    • Client Reviews
    • Blog
    • Media
    • Contact Us
    • 781-996-5656
    Baker Law Group P.C. – Estate Planning