Milwaukee Advance Directives Lawyers

Experienced Advance Directives Lawyer in Milwaukee, WI

Advance directives are legal documents that allow people to outline their preferences for medical care and other important decisions if they ever become unable to communicate their wishes. These documents play a crucial role in estate planning by ensuring that a person's needs will be met, particularly as they approach the end of their life. In Wisconsin, advance directives include living wills, powers of attorney, and authorizations for final disposition. These directives can provide peace of mind for a person and their loved ones.

An attorney can provide invaluable assistance with advance directives, ensuring that all documents are drafted correctly and in accordance with Wisconsin law. This can prevent potential legal disputes and ensure that the instructions provided are comprehensive and clear. At Mallery s.c., we provide estate planning services that address these issues and other decisions. Our goal is to respect and uphold the wishes of our clients. We understand the sensitive nature of end-of-life planning, and we strive to make the process as straightforward and easy to understand as possible.

Types of Advance Directives in Wisconsin

With advance directives, a person can make decisions about how certain matters will be handled in the future if they will be unable to express themselves or make decisions on their own. They may address end-of-life care or other situations where a person may become incapacitated. Advance directives used in Wisconsin include:

• Living wills: This document, which is also known as a declaration to physicians, outlines the types of medical care a person wishes to receive if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness. They may also address what will happen if an injury or illness results in a persistent vegetative state that is irreversible. With a living will, a person can express their preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, including the use of mechanical ventilation, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition and hydration. They can ensure that they will receive the medical care they desire or be allowed to pass peacefully and with minimal pain or discomfort. This can reduce the burden on family members who might otherwise have to make difficult decisions about providing or withholding life-sustaining treatment.
• Power of attorney for health care: A power of attorney is a legal document that designates a specific person to make decisions on someone's behalf if they become incapacitated. With a healthcare power of attorney, a person can give someone they trust the ability to make decisions about their medical treatment, while also providing instructions about the forms of care they do or do not want to receive. A broad range of medical decisions can be addressed, from routine care to critical interventions. It is important to select a trusted person as a health care agent and to have thorough discussions about a person's wishes regarding medical treatment.
• Power of attorney for finance and property: This document is similar to a power of attorney for healthcare, but it will address financial decisions. A person can give someone they trust the authority to manage their assets and finances and ensure that their financial needs will be met. This can help avoid potential difficulties if a person becomes unable to address these issues on their own due to a serious health condition, a mental disorder, or another form of incapacitation.
• Authorization for final disposition: This document allows a person to specify their preferences for the handling of their body after their death. They can include instructions for burial, cremation, or other methods for the disposition of their remains, as well as details about funeral or memorial services. This directive acts in conjunction with a will, and it can be crucial in preventing family disputes and ensuring that a person's final wishes will be respected.

Contact Our Milwaukee, WI Advance Directives Lawyers

At Mallery s.c., we understand the importance of ensuring that a person's wishes will be respected as they receive end-of-life care or in other situations where they may need assistance from others. Our dedicated team works with families to navigate the complexities of estate planning and create comprehensive documents that provide clarity and peace of mind. As you address these sensitive issues, we will provide you and your family with compassionate legal support, ensuring that you will be fully prepared for the future. Contact us at 414-271-2424 to set up a free consultation and take the first step towards securing your family's future.