Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills Attorney Serving Maryville, Tennessee
Comprehensive Guide to Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills in Maryville
Advance healthcare directives and living wills help you document your medical wishes and designate decision-makers if you cannot speak for yourself. In Maryville and across Tennessee, these documents provide a clear record of preferences for life-sustaining treatment, pain management, organ donation, and other medical decisions. Creating these documents reduces uncertainty for family members and medical teams, and helps ensure that your values guide decisions during serious illness or incapacitation. Jay Johnson Law Firm assists clients with drafting and reviewing advance directives so that legal formalities are met and the documents reflect personal preferences carefully and respectfully.
Many people delay or avoid creating advance directives because the topic feels uncomfortable, but planning in advance offers peace of mind and practical protection. A well-drafted living will and medical power of attorney work together: one expresses treatment preferences and the other names someone to make decisions on your behalf. In Tennessee, there are specific requirements for witnessing and notarization that affect enforceability. Jay Johnson Law Firm helps residents of Maryville and surrounding communities navigate these requirements and communicate choices clearly, so your wishes are more likely to be followed by medical providers and loved ones when it matters most.
Why Advance Directives and Living Wills Matter for You and Your Family
Advance directives and living wills reduce the burden on family members who otherwise might face uncertain decisions during emotional and stressful medical emergencies. These documents preserve personal autonomy by recording preferences about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and pain management. They also help prevent disputes among relatives and can guide doctors when a patient lacks capacity. For Maryville residents, having legally valid directives aligned with Tennessee law means healthcare teams have clearer instruction and families have documented guidance. Taking time to prepare these documents can save time, reduce conflict, and ensure your values remain central to your care.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Advance Healthcare Planning
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients in Maryville, Hendersonville, and across Tennessee with a focus on estate planning and probate services, including advance healthcare directives and living wills. The firm provides personalized guidance to help each client articulate medical preferences and choose an appropriate proxy decision-maker. Through careful review of circumstances, the firm prepares documents that meet state formalities and are intended to be practical and understandable for family members and medical staff. The goal is to create durable, clear documents that residents can rely on during times of illness or incapacity.
Understanding Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills in Tennessee
Advance directives are legal tools that allow you to express medical preferences in advance of a time when you might be unable to communicate. In Tennessee, a living will typically records your wishes about life-sustaining treatments, while a healthcare power of attorney appoints a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf. Both documents should be drafted to reflect your values and to comply with state signing and witnessing requirements. Establishing these directives is a proactive step to protect your dignity and ensure decisions reflect your priorities rather than uncertainty or conflicting opinions.
When preparing advance directives, it is important to consider scenarios such as terminal illness, permanent unconsciousness, or progressive conditions that change over time. Clear language and thoughtful selection of a healthcare agent help reduce ambiguity. You can also include preferences about pain control, artificial nutrition and hydration, and organ donation. Once executed, copies should be provided to your chosen agent, family members, and healthcare providers; some clients also ask their attorney to keep a copy. Regular reviews ensure directives remain aligned with evolving needs and changes in relationships or medical outlook.
Key Definitions: Living Will, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and Advance Directive
A living will is a written statement that states treatment preferences if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious and cannot communicate. A healthcare power of attorney designates an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf if you lack capacity. Together these instruments form an advance directive package that can guide care, reduce disputes, and provide legal authority for decision-making. Understanding the differences helps you choose what combination fits your needs. In Tennessee, certain formalities apply to how these documents are signed and witnessed, so following legal requirements ensures they will be recognized by hospitals and care teams.
Core Elements and the Process of Creating Advance Directives
Drafting effective advance directives involves several steps: discussing goals and values, selecting a trusted healthcare agent, describing treatment preferences with sufficient detail, and complying with signing and witnessing rules under Tennessee law. Attorneys typically review medical scenarios, draft clear language about interventions such as CPR or ventilator use, and advise on appointing alternates if the primary agent cannot act. After execution, the documents should be distributed to medical providers and loved ones. Periodic reviews are recommended to confirm the documents still reflect your wishes, especially after major life events or changes in health.
Glossary of Important Terms for Advance Healthcare Directives
Familiarity with common terms helps you make informed decisions about advance directives. This glossary explains core concepts like capacity, proxy decision-maker, life-sustaining treatment, and do-not-resuscitate instructions in plain language. Knowing these terms reduces confusion when discussing options with family, medical staff, or counsel. Jay Johnson Law Firm provides clear explanations so Maryville clients can choose the right tools for their needs. Keeping terminology simple and consistent makes your documents easier for medical personnel and loved ones to follow when they need to act quickly and confidently.
Healthcare Power of Attorney (Medical Proxy)
A healthcare power of attorney is a legal document that appoints another person to make medical decisions for you if you become unable to act for yourself. The appointed agent is authorized to consult with doctors, access medical records as permitted by law, and decide about treatments consistent with your stated wishes. Selecting an agent who understands your values and communicates well with family and providers is important. In Tennessee, the document should be signed and witnessed according to state rules so hospitals and care teams will accept the agent’s authority when decisions are required.
Living Will
A living will is a written statement that expresses your wishes regarding medical treatment in circumstances where you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and unable to communicate. It typically addresses preferences about life-sustaining measures, artificial nutrition and hydration, and pain management. The document gives guidance to your healthcare agent and medical team about treatments you would or would not want. Having a living will can reduce uncertainty and make it clearer which interventions should be used or withheld according to your values and priorities.
Capacity and Incapacity
Capacity refers to a person’s current ability to understand relevant information and make informed decisions about medical treatment. Incapacity means the person lacks that ability, often due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. Advance directives become operative when a physician determines you lack capacity. Clear documentation of preferences and a designated healthcare agent help ensure decisions are made in alignment with your wishes when capacity is lost. Regularly reviewing your directives and communicating them to loved ones can reduce confusion during critical moments.
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders and Related Choices
A do-not-resuscitate order instructs medical staff not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if your heart or breathing stops. This order is typically documented in medical records and may be part of broader advance directives. Separate medical forms may be required in certain care settings to ensure the order is followed by emergency personnel. Discussing DNR preferences with your agent and physician helps ensure your wishes about resuscitation are understood and recorded appropriately. Clear communication prevents unwanted invasive interventions during emergency situations.
Comparing Limited and Comprehensive Approaches to Healthcare Planning
When planning for healthcare decisions, some people choose a limited approach such as a single living will or a basic medical power of attorney that addresses immediate concerns. Others opt for a comprehensive plan that combines a living will, durable power of attorney for finances, and detailed instructions for various scenarios. A limited approach may be adequate for straightforward preferences and well-aligned families, while a broader plan can address contingencies, name alternates, and coordinate healthcare with related estate planning documents. Discussing options with counsel helps determine the right balance between simplicity and coverage.
When a Focused Advance Directive Package May Be Appropriate:
Clear Preferences and a Trusted Decision-Maker
A limited approach may be suitable when your medical preferences are straightforward and you have a trusted person willing and able to act as your healthcare agent. If family members are in agreement and your wishes are simple—such as declining extraordinary life support—then one or two documents may be sufficient. In such cases a concise living will and a designated medical proxy can provide clarity without extensive additional planning. Even so, it is important that the documents comply with Tennessee formalities to ensure they are accepted by care providers when needed.
Short-Term or Narrowly Focused Concerns
A limited advance directive package can also work for individuals addressing a specific short-term risk, such as a planned major surgery or a temporary medical condition. In those circumstances, concise instructions about resuscitation preferences and a designated agent’s authority may cover the needed decisions without creating a broader estate plan. However, even short-term directives should be documented properly and distributed to the appropriate healthcare team so that your wishes are clear and accessible during the period of concern.
Situations Where a Comprehensive Advance Directive Package Is Beneficial:
Complex Medical or Family Circumstances
A comprehensive planning approach may be advisable when medical conditions are complex, family dynamics are uncertain, or there are multiple decision-makers who might disagree. Detailed directives, alternate agents, and coordination with broader estate planning documents can reduce the risk of disputes and ensure a cohesive plan for both healthcare and financial matters. Comprehensive planning can also address long-term care preferences and integrate instructions for future revisions, creating a clear roadmap for decisions that may arise throughout the course of an extended illness.
Desire for Detailed Guidance Across Possible Scenarios
People who prefer to spell out specific choices about treatments in a variety of potential scenarios may benefit from a thorough planning session and tailored documents. Comprehensive guidance allows for nuanced expressions of values and priorities across different medical situations, which can be helpful if preferences vary depending on prognosis or quality-of-life considerations. Detailed documentation paired with discussions among family members and healthcare providers reduces ambiguity and supports decisions that closely align with the individual’s goals for treatment and comfort.
Advantages of a Comprehensive Advance Healthcare Plan
A comprehensive approach to advance healthcare planning offers clarity, coordination, and peace of mind by connecting medical directives with related estate planning tools. It ensures that your wishes about treatment, pain management, and surrogate decision-making are recorded together and aligned with financial powers that may affect care arrangements. This coordination helps reduce conflict between family members and eases the burden on loved ones who may otherwise face difficult decisions without clear guidance. Comprehensive plans can also include contingencies and alternates to address changing circumstances over time.
Comprehensive planning can improve the likelihood that medical teams and care facilities will follow your preferences by presenting clear, legally compliant documents and ensuring copies are properly distributed. Integrating healthcare directives with other planning documents, such as durable powers of attorney and wills, creates consistency and reduces the chance of contradictory instructions. Regular reviews and updates ensure the plan remains current with your wishes and legal standards, so your directives stay relevant as your health or family situation evolves.
Reduced Family Conflict and Clear Decision Authority
A comprehensive advance directive package reduces the potential for family disagreement by clearly naming an agent and documenting preferences for treatment across differing scenarios. When choices are spelled out and the decision-maker’s authority is recognized, relatives are less likely to face uncertainty or conflict during emotionally charged moments. Clear, legally valid documents make it easier for healthcare providers to follow a known plan, which minimizes delays and disputes. This clarity can provide significant emotional relief to families during a medical crisis and promote decisions that align with the patient’s stated priorities.
Greater Confidence That Wishes Will Be Followed
Comprehensive advance directives increase the likelihood that healthcare providers and family members will honor your treatment preferences, because the documentation is thorough and legally sound. When directives address multiple contingencies and naming alternates is clear, there is less room for interpretation or disagreement. This thoroughness matters especially when medical decisions are complex and time-sensitive. By investing in detailed planning now, you can help ensure that your values guide care and that others understand how you want medical decisions made if you cannot speak for yourself.
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Practical Tips When Preparing Advance Healthcare Documents
Choose Your Healthcare Agent Carefully
Selecting the right person to serve as your healthcare agent is one of the most important decisions you will make when preparing advance directives. Choose someone who understands your values, can communicate clearly with medical staff and family members, and is willing to carry out sometimes difficult choices. Discuss your wishes with that person in detail so they know how to represent you under stress. Consider naming alternate agents in case the primary designee is unavailable, and ensure the chosen agent has access to your documents and important medical information when needed.
Be Specific About Treatment Preferences
Share and Review Documents Regularly
After signing advance directives, distribute copies to your chosen agent, family members, and your primary care physician. Keep a signed original in a safe but accessible location and inform trusted individuals where to find it. Review your directives periodically, especially after significant life events such as changes in health, relationships, or location. Updating your documents to reflect evolving preferences and notifying relevant parties of changes ensures that your directives remain current and that healthcare providers will know which instructions to follow in an emergency.
Why Maryville Residents Should Consider Advance Directives and Living Wills
Advance directives provide legal clarity and emotional relief by documenting your medical preferences and designating a decision-maker before a crisis occurs. For families in Maryville, these documents reduce the risk of disagreement among relatives and help medical staff understand and follow the patient’s wishes. Advance planning promotes dignity and ensures that personal values shape care choices. Given Tennessee’s formalities for execution and recognition by healthcare providers, preparing legally sound directives makes it more likely your preferences will be honored when you cannot speak for yourself.
Creating advance directives is also a practical step that complements broader estate planning. These documents can prevent delays in decision-making and reduce stress on loved ones who might otherwise need to seek court intervention or rely on uncertain verbal instructions. For those with chronic conditions, progressive illnesses, or upcoming procedures, advance directives offer structured guidance and relieve family members from making agonizing phone calls under duress. Taking time now to create clear, legally recognized documents helps preserve control over your care and protects your loved ones from avoidable conflict.
Common Situations That Often Lead People to Create Advance Directives
People commonly prepare advance directives after a diagnosis of a serious or progressive illness, before major surgery, when planning for aging or long-term care, or when rebuilding their estate plans after life changes. These documents are also important for anyone who wants to ensure their medical preferences are known, regardless of current health. Family members often seek guidance following unpredictable events like accidents or sudden incapacitation, making advance directives a practical measure to define decision-making authority and to express treatment preferences in advance of crises.
Following a Serious Diagnosis or Health Change
A new diagnosis of a serious illness or a noticeable decline in health frequently prompts individuals to formalize their medical preferences and designate a healthcare agent. Creating or revising advance directives in response to such changes allows you to tailor instructions to the likely course of treatment and to communicate goals of care to doctors and loved ones. This forward planning can reduce uncertainty, make it easier for family members to act consistently with your wishes, and ensure medical decisions reflect your priorities throughout treatment.
Before Major Surgery or Medical Procedures
Preparing an advance directive before planned surgeries or medical procedures provides clarity about resuscitation and life-sustaining treatments in the event of complications. Even when the risk of serious outcomes is low, having the documentation in place ensures the surgical team and family know your preferences should unexpected events occur. Surgeons and hospitals often ask about advance directives during preoperative planning, and having clear, signed documents available can expedite decision-making and relieve stress if urgent choices are required during recovery.
When Updating Estate Plans or After Major Life Events
Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes in financial status commonly prompt reviews of both estate plans and advance directives. These events may change who you trust to make decisions or how you want medical care to be handled. Updating your documents ensures that the designated agent, alternates, and treatment preferences align with current relationships and values. Regular reviews after major milestones help keep planning consistent across estate and healthcare documents and avoid unintended outcomes.
Maryville Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills Attorney
Jay Johnson Law Firm is available to help Maryville residents prepare advance healthcare directives and living wills that reflect personal values and meet Tennessee legal requirements. The firm assists clients with thoughtful discussions about medical preferences, selection of an appropriate healthcare agent, and preparation of documents that are clear and enforceable. Guidance includes advice on distribution of copies, coordination with physicians, and steps to update documents over time. The goal is to make advance planning understandable, accessible, and tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
Why Choose Jay Johnson Law Firm for Advance Healthcare Planning
Choosing a legal partner for advance healthcare planning means working with someone who knows Tennessee requirements and who will help you express preferences plainly and accurately. Jay Johnson Law Firm guides clients through the legal steps and helps translate personal values into practical directives that medical providers and loved ones can follow. The firm’s approach includes asking the right questions, preparing documents that address realistic medical scenarios, and making sure formalities such as signatures and witnessing are handled correctly to maximize acceptance by hospitals and care teams.
The firm emphasizes communication among clients, designated agents, and family members to reduce future disputes and ensure that everyone understands the intended plan. Clients receive clear instructions on where to store documents, who should receive copies, and how to update directives when circumstances change. Jay Johnson Law Firm also helps coordinate advance healthcare planning with related estate planning needs, so that medical, financial, and legacy considerations work together in a consistent and coherent way.
For Maryville residents, having local counsel familiar with Tennessee procedures offers practical benefits in securing directives that are respected by regional hospitals and care teams. The firm assists with execution, distribution, and periodic review so that your healthcare planning remains current and actionable. Clients are encouraged to discuss values and concerns openly so that documents accurately reflect personal choices and provide family members with clear guidance during stressful times.
Ready to Plan Your Advance Healthcare Documents? Contact Us in Maryville
How We Prepare Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
Our process begins with a consultation to understand your medical values, family dynamics, and specific concerns. We discuss medical scenarios, help you choose and document a healthcare agent, and draft clear, legally compliant directives. After drafting, we review the documents with you, handle signing and witnessing according to Tennessee law, and provide guidance on distributing copies to physicians and loved ones. We also recommend a schedule for periodic review and updating, particularly after major life events or health changes, to keep documents aligned with your wishes.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Values Discussion
The initial meeting focuses on understanding your goals, medical preferences, and relationships that affect decision-making. We discuss various medical scenarios, outline the types of choices you may face, and identify potential agents who can represent your wishes. This conversation serves as the foundation for drafting documents that reflect your priorities and helps ensure the resulting directives will be practical, understandable, and aligned with your values during times of incapacity.
Discussing Medical Scenarios and Personal Preferences
In this stage we explore what matters most to you in different medical circumstances, including preferences for life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and comfort care. By considering specific scenarios, you can provide clearer guidance for your agent and for the language used in your living will. This discussion reduces ambiguity and helps avoid conflicting interpretations at a time when decisions may be urgent and emotionally difficult for those left to act on your behalf.
Selecting a Healthcare Agent and Alternates
Selecting a primary healthcare agent and alternates ensures there is a designated person able to make decisions if you cannot. We help you consider qualities such as availability, communication skills, and alignment with your values. Naming alternates provides backup if the primary agent is unavailable. We also discuss the extent of authority you wish to grant and any limits you want to place on decision-making authority to reflect personal preferences and family considerations.
Step Two: Drafting and Reviewing Documents
After establishing your preferences and decision-makers, we draft the living will and healthcare power of attorney tailored to your needs and consistent with Tennessee law. We use clear, scenario-based language to minimize ambiguity and make sure instructions are practical for medical teams. The draft is reviewed with you to confirm it accurately expresses your wishes and to make any revisions. We also advise on necessary witnesses and notarization to ensure the documents will be accepted when presented to healthcare providers.
Preparing Legally Compliant Document Language
Drafting focuses on precise language that addresses likely medical interventions and sets out conditions under which various preferences apply. Attention is given to Tennessee statutory requirements for execution so that the documents will be enforceable. Clear descriptions of desired treatments, limitations, and agent authority reduce the risk of misunderstanding by family members and medical staff. The documents are prepared to be straightforward and accessible to nonlegal audiences who may need to rely on them.
Reviewing and Finalizing Your Directives
We review drafts with you to ensure that the directives reflect your values and that the chosen agent understands their role. This review includes confirming signature and witness processes under Tennessee law and discussing distribution of copies. Finalizing the documents involves signing in the presence of necessary witnesses and, when appropriate, notarization. We provide guidance on who should receive copies and how to maintain documentation so it is available when needed.
Step Three: Execution, Distribution, and Ongoing Review
Once signed and witnessed properly, copies of advance directives should be distributed to your healthcare agent, family members, physicians, and any care facilities where you may receive treatment. We guide clients on storing originals and providing accessible copies for emergency situations. Periodic review is recommended to address changes in health, relationships, or preferences. We also assist with updates and re-execution when necessary so directives remain current and legally sound for use by medical providers.
Providing Copies to Relevant Parties
Providing copies to your healthcare agent, primary care physician, and close family members helps ensure directives are available when needed. Hospitals and clinics may also request a copy for your medical record. We advise on the most practical ways to distribute documents and ensure your agent knows where originals are stored. Making sure key individuals have access reduces delays and improves the chances that your wishes will be followed promptly in an emergency.
Reviewing and Updating Over Time
Regularly reviewing your advance directives is important to keep them aligned with changes in health status, family dynamics, or personal values. We recommend periodic check-ins to confirm agents are still willing and able to serve, and to update language if medical advances or personal priorities shift. Changes can be made through amendments or by executing new documents, and we handle the necessary steps to ensure the updated directives are properly executed and distributed to avoid confusion.
Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a living will and a healthcare power of attorney?
A living will is a document that records your preferences about life-sustaining treatment, comfort care, and related medical interventions if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. It provides direct instructions to medical providers about the types of care you would or would not want under those conditions. A healthcare power of attorney appoints a trusted person to make medical decisions for you when you cannot do so. That person can interpret your wishes and act on your behalf in discussions with doctors.Together, these documents work in tandem: the living will states your treatment preferences, while the healthcare power of attorney provides an authorized decision-maker who can ensure those preferences are followed and address situations not specifically covered by the living will.
When do advance directives take effect in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, advance directives generally take effect when a physician determines that you lack capacity to make informed medical decisions. The living will instructions become relevant under conditions such as terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness as described in the document. The healthcare power of attorney becomes operative when you are unable to communicate or lack decision-making capacity and your agent must act on your behalf.It is important to have clear documentation and to provide copies to your treating physicians and healthcare facility. Proper execution according to state requirements helps ensure the documents are recognized and used when needed by medical personnel.
Who should I name as my healthcare agent?
You should name someone you trust who understands your values, can communicate effectively with healthcare providers and family members, and is willing to make decisions under emotional stress. Consider whether the person is geographically accessible, available during emergencies, and able to follow your directions even if others disagree. It can be helpful to discuss your wishes in detail with the person before naming them so they are prepared to act.Also consider naming alternates in case your primary agent is unavailable. Avoid selecting someone solely for convenience if they are unlikely to carry out your preferences. Clear communication and documentation reduce the likelihood of confusion or conflict when decisions arise.
Do advance directives need to be notarized or witnessed in Tennessee?
Tennessee has specific formalities for advance directives, and requirements can vary by document type. Many advance directive forms require signatures and witnesses, and some situations benefit from notarization to strengthen enforceability. Ensuring that living wills and healthcare powers of attorney meet state witnessing and notarization rules is important for acceptance by hospitals and care providers in Maryville and elsewhere in Tennessee.Working with counsel helps confirm that signatures and witness procedures are followed correctly. After execution, provide copies to your healthcare agent, physicians, and family so they are aware of the documents and their legal standing when a medical decision becomes necessary.
Can I change or revoke my advance directive later?
Yes, you can change or revoke advance directives at any time while you retain capacity. Changes may be made by executing a new document or by following revocation procedures specified under Tennessee law, such as signing a revocation form or giving written notice to your healthcare provider. It is important to communicate changes to your healthcare agent, family, and medical team to avoid reliance on outdated documents.When you update directives, distribute the new versions and retrieve or destroy copies of prior documents if possible. Working with counsel ensures the updated documents are validly executed and that relevant parties are informed of the changes.
Will hospitals and doctors in Maryville follow my living will?
Hospitals and doctors in Maryville will generally follow a living will if it is legally valid, clearly states your preferences, and is recognized under Tennessee law. Medical staff rely on properly executed advance directives and the authority of a designated healthcare agent to guide treatment when a patient lacks capacity. Providing copies to your physician and including the documents in your medical record increases the likelihood they will be followed in an emergency.If there is any uncertainty about the document’s validity, medical providers may consult the appointed agent, legal counsel, or hospital ethics committees. Ensuring correct execution and distribution reduces the chance of hesitation or disputes when care decisions are urgent.
What if family members disagree with my documented wishes?
If family members disagree with your documented wishes, the advance directives and the authority given to your appointed agent are the primary guides for medical decision-making. Clear, legally valid documents strengthen the position of your healthcare agent and provide objective evidence of your intentions. In some cases, disagreements may require mediation, hospital ethics consultation, or legal clarification to resolve conflicts.To minimize disputes, discuss your wishes with family members and your chosen agent in advance so they understand your values and rationale. Open communication and distributing copies of directives help prevent misunderstandings and reduce the likelihood of contentious disputes during stressful situations.
Should advance directives be part of a larger estate plan?
Advance directives are an important complement to a full estate plan, which can include wills, durable powers of attorney for finances, and trusts. Coordinating healthcare directives with financial and legacy planning ensures consistent decision-making and avoids conflicting instructions across documents. For instance, financial powers can address payment for care, while healthcare directives address treatment preferences and decision-makers.Integrating these documents provides a comprehensive approach to managing both medical and financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Discussing healthcare and estate planning together helps ensure all documents reflect your priorities and work seamlessly when needed.
How often should I review or update my advance directives?
It is advisable to review advance directives periodically, particularly after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a major change in health, or relocation. Routine reviews every few years can also help ensure that documents remain aligned with your values and with any changes in Tennessee law or medical practice. Checking in regularly with your appointed agent ensures they remain willing and able to serve.If you decide to change preferences or agents, update the documents formally and distribute the new versions to relevant parties. Keeping a schedule for review and communicating updates reduces the risk that outdated directives will be relied upon during a crisis.
What should I do after signing my advance directives?
After signing your advance directives, provide copies to your appointed healthcare agent, your primary care physician, and any specialists involved in ongoing care. Consider placing a copy in your medical record at your regular clinic or hospital, and give copies to close family members so they know where to find the documents in an emergency. Also, inform your agent of the location of the original documents and any related instructions you have left.Keep the original in a secure but accessible place and review the directives periodically to confirm they still reflect your wishes. If you need to update the documents, follow proper execution steps to ensure the new versions are valid and distribute them to the same parties who received the originals.