4 Points for Advance Health Care Directives.

It is estimated that four out of five Americans do not have a written health care or end-of-life directive to help their families make decisions for them if they become incapacitated.

Health care and end-of-life advance planning, if done right, accomplishes four things:

1. Ensures that the person you want to speak for you has the legal authority to do;
2. Helps ensure that your wishes about your health care are known and respected;
3. Avoids unnecessary, intrusive, and costly medical treatment at the point you no longer want it; and
4. Reduces the suffering experienced by your loved ones, because they will have your guidance.

Having your Advance Health Care Directive in place is an essential part of a completed estate plan. You can prepare an Advance Health Care Directive as a stand-alone document as well and not part of an overall plan. Having things in place even in bits and pieces is almost better than nothing.