A Practical Guide to Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills in Forest Hills
Advance healthcare directives and living wills give Forest Hills residents a clear way to state their medical wishes in situations when they cannot speak for themselves. These documents allow you to name a trusted decision-maker and to describe preferences for life-sustaining treatment, pain management, and comfort care. Preparing directives now reduces confusion among family members, helps medical providers follow your instructions, and can prevent costly delays. At Jay Johnson Law Firm, we focus on preparing directives that reflect local Tennessee requirements and the realities families face in Davidson County and nearby communities.
Many people put off creating an advance directive because the topic feels difficult, but having a living will and related paperwork in place brings practical benefits and peace of mind. A written directive clarifies your choices about interventions like artificial nutrition, resuscitation, and ventilator use, and it provides guidance on how those choices should be applied over time. By documenting your wishes, you reduce the risk of disputes and ensure that medical professionals and loved ones understand your priorities. Our approach emphasizes clear language and legally valid forms that are appropriate for Tennessee.
Why Advance Directives and Living Wills Matter for You and Your Family
Advance directives and living wills do more than state medical preferences; they protect family relationships by setting expectations before a crisis arises. Clear instructions reduce emotional strain on loved ones who otherwise must guess at your wishes and can limit conflicts among relatives. In a medical emergency, well-drafted documents help clinicians act quickly in accordance with your values, which can reduce unnecessary or unwanted treatments. For residents of Forest Hills and surrounding areas, thoughtful planning ensures decisions made in hospitals or long-term care settings reflect personal values and meet Tennessee legal standards.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Advance Directives
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves communities across Tennessee, including Forest Hills and Hendersonville, with practical estate planning and probate services tailored to local needs. Our attorneys prioritize clear communication, careful document drafting, and responsive client service so that clients understand each choice and its consequences. We work with families to translate personal values into concise legal language that holds up under Tennessee law. From initial planning conversations to finalizing signed documents, we guide clients through each step with attention to detail and respect for the sensitive nature of healthcare decisions.
Understanding Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that explains your medical preferences and appoints a healthcare agent to make decisions if you are incapacitated. A living will usually focuses on preferences for life-sustaining treatment, while the broader directive can include instructions about organ donation, pain management, and end-of-life care. In Tennessee, specific form and witnessing requirements apply, so documents should be prepared or reviewed for legal validity. Taking time to discuss values and scenarios with family and your attorney helps ensure the directive reflects realistic wishes and can be followed by medical staff when needed.
Creating these documents typically involves considering a range of medical situations and treatment options and then translating those choices into clear language. You will decide who will act as your healthcare agent, whether alternate agents are named, and what instructions should guide decision-making. Reviewing existing medical records and talking with family members can clarify preferences. Documents should be stored where they can be found quickly and copies provided to your agent, family members, and primary care physician. Periodic review keeps directives aligned with changing health or personal circumstances.
What Advance Directives and Living Wills Mean in Practice
An advance directive establishes how medical choices should be made when you cannot express informed consent, while a living will typically specifies whether to accept or refuse life-sustaining measures in terminal or irreversible conditions. Together they form a plan that guides doctors and family members. The documents can be narrow or comprehensive, depending on how many scenarios you wish to anticipate. In Tennessee, properly executed forms must meet statutory requirements to be effective, so careful drafting and proper signatures are important to ensure that your stated preferences will be honored by healthcare providers and institutions.
Key Elements and How the Process Works
Preparing advance directives involves selecting a healthcare agent, describing treatment preferences, deciding on organ donation and comfort care directives, and signing the document according to Tennessee rules for witnesses or notarization. The process begins with a values discussion, followed by drafting language that balances clarity with flexibility. After signing, the document should be distributed to your agent, family, and medical providers. It is wise to review the directive after major life events or health changes. Keeping multiple copies and ensuring digital or physical access will increase the likelihood that your wishes are followed when needed.
Key Terms and Glossary for Advance Healthcare Planning
Understanding common terms used in advance healthcare planning helps you make informed decisions. Terms such as healthcare agent, durable power of attorney for healthcare, living will, incapacity, life-sustaining treatment, and Do Not Resuscitate orders each carry specific meanings that influence how instructions are carried out. Learning what each term means in Tennessee law clarifies options and can prevent misunderstandings. Discussing these definitions with your attorney and named decision-maker ensures everyone interprets the directive consistently and that instructions match your goals for medical care and quality of life.
Healthcare Agent (Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare)
A healthcare agent is the person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This role is granted through a durable power of attorney for healthcare or a similar advance directive form. The agent is expected to follow your written instructions and, if specifics are not available, to act according to your known wishes and values. Choosing an agent requires confidence in their judgment, willingness to make tough calls, and availability to communicate with medical personnel and family members during stressful moments.
Living Will
A living will is a written statement that expresses your wishes about life-sustaining treatments under defined medical conditions, such as terminal illness or persistent vegetative state. It typically addresses interventions like mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, and resuscitation. The living will is intended to guide clinicians and family members so that care reflects your preferences. Because medical circumstances can vary, clear language and a companion directive naming an agent help ensure your wishes are interpreted and applied consistently across different care settings.
Capacity and Incapacity
Capacity refers to a person’s ability to understand relevant information and make informed medical decisions; incapacity occurs when illness or injury prevents clear decision-making. Advance directives come into effect when a treating physician determines you lack capacity to decide for yourself. The process for assessing capacity is clinical and documented in medical records. Having a directive in place preempts confusion about whether capacity exists and provides a legal framework for the healthcare agent to act in accordance with your wishes when capacity is absent.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Other Specific Orders
A Do Not Resuscitate order instructs medical personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if breathing or heartbeat stops. DNR orders are specific clinical directives and differ from a living will, though they may be consistent with desires stated in your advance directive. Other specific orders can address antibiotics, feeding tubes, or intensive care measures. Discussing these options with your healthcare agent and physician helps ensure that clinical orders align with your broader advance directive and that the procedures for implementing them are understood by all involved.
Comparing Limited Forms and Comprehensive Advance Planning
When considering advance healthcare planning, some people choose a brief form that names a decision-maker, while others opt for a comprehensive set of documents that include detailed instructions and contingencies. Short forms can be quicker to complete and are better than having nothing, but they may leave gaps that lead to disagreements in a crisis. Comprehensive planning takes more time up front but can reduce uncertainty and litigation risk later. Your personal situation, family dynamics, and health status typically guide whether a limited or comprehensive approach is most appropriate.
When a Limited Directive May Be Appropriate:
Simple Family Situation and Clear Decision-Maker
A limited advance directive can be appropriate if you have a clearly identified and trusted decision-maker and family relationships are uncomplicated. For individuals with straightforward wishes and a designated agent who knows their preferences well, a concise document that appoints that agent and states core treatment preferences may offer adequate protection. This approach is also suitable for those who want to complete planning quickly while leaving detailed instructions to be discussed later during routine reviews, as long as the agent understands and agrees to act on your behalf.
Lower Immediate Health Risks and Short-Term Planning
A limited directive may meet needs for people in good health who are planning for the unexpected but do not currently face complex medical decisions. If you are younger and without chronic illness, a concise directive naming an agent and expressing general preferences for life-sustaining treatment can provide protection while keeping the document simple. It is still important to review the directive periodically and update it if health status changes, relationships shift, or if you become more specific about treatment preferences after speaking with family or healthcare providers.
When a Comprehensive Advance Planning Approach Is Advisable:
Complex Family Dynamics or Ambiguous Wishes
Comprehensive planning is sensible when family relationships are complex, parties disagree about medical choices, or when there are multiple potential decision-makers who might conflict. Detailed directives that spell out treatment thresholds, appoint alternates, and include conflict resolution guidance can prevent disagreements and reduce the need for court involvement. A thorough plan can also include related estate planning documents so medical and financial decisions align, reducing the chance of contradictory instructions and ensuring a coordinated approach if incapacity occurs.
Significant Medical Conditions or Anticipated Long-Term Care Needs
If you have serious chronic illnesses, progressive conditions, or anticipate long-term care needs, comprehensive advance planning helps anticipate a range of scenarios. Detailed documents can address preferences for durable medical equipment, hospice care, hospitalization versus in-home care, and thresholds for life-sustaining treatments. Planning that integrates medical goals with financial arrangements and powers of attorney for finances ensures coordinated decision-making across care settings and reduces administrative burdens on family members who may otherwise need to navigate changing medical and legal responsibilities alone.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Advance Healthcare Planning Approach
A comprehensive approach to advance healthcare planning offers clarity, reduces family conflict, and increases the likelihood that medical care matches your values and wishes. By addressing a range of scenarios and naming alternates, comprehensive plans minimize ambiguity when critical decisions arise. These plans also help medical teams make timely choices without extended delays for legal verification. For families in Forest Hills and the broader Davidson County area, investing in a detailed directive helps protect relationships and ensures that end-of-life and incapacity decisions follow a thoughtful, documented path.
Comprehensive planning can provide continuity across healthcare settings by supplying clear, portable instructions that accompany you from hospitals to long-term care facilities. When financial documents are coordinated with healthcare directives, agents can manage affairs consistently and without unnecessary court involvement. Detailed directives also support caregivers under stress by reducing second-guessing and offering a clear standard for decisions. Periodic reviews keep documents current so they remain aligned with changes in medical options, personal values, and Tennessee statutory requirements.
Greater Certainty and Reduced Family Burden
A comprehensive directive decreases uncertainty by articulating specific preferences and naming decision-makers, which relieves family members of the burden of guessing or arguing about what you would want. This clarity helps preserve relationships and allows loved ones to focus on emotional support rather than legal or medical disputes. Communicating your values in writing and selecting an agent who understands those values ensures decisions made on your behalf reflect your priorities and reduces the emotional toll on those left to carry out your wishes.
Alignment of Medical Care with Personal Values
Comprehensive planning lets you translate personal beliefs about quality of life and acceptable interventions into practical instructions that clinicians can follow. Whether your focus is symptom relief, avoiding prolonged invasive measures, or prioritizing comfort, detailed directives improve the chance that care aligns with those priorities. When medical teams and the appointed agent have clear guidance, treatment plans are more likely to reflect your values, creating a pathway that balances clinical judgment with your defined goals for care and end-of-life preferences.
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Practical Tips for Advance Healthcare Planning
Choose and communicate with your healthcare agent early
Selecting a healthcare agent is one of the most important steps in advance planning. Choose someone who understands your values, can handle stress, and is willing to communicate with medical teams and family members. Discuss specific scenarios and your preferences for treatments such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and pain management so they are prepared to act on your behalf. Share copies of the directive with the agent and your primary care physician, and confirm they know where to find the document in an emergency.
Use clear, specific language and review periodically
Coordinate healthcare documents with financial planning
Coordinating advance healthcare directives with financial powers of attorney and other estate planning documents helps ensure smooth management of affairs when incapacity occurs. Naming a healthcare agent and a separate or the same financial agent clarifies responsibilities and avoids gaps in decision-making. Include instructions for where critical documents are stored and who has access. This holistic approach reduces administrative hurdles for those acting on your behalf and safeguards continuity of care and financial management during difficult times.
Reasons to Create Advance Healthcare Directives and a Living Will
Creating advance directives and a living will gives you control over future medical treatment and relieves family members from having to make high-stakes decisions without guidance. Documenting your wishes reduces the risk of conflict, helps clinicians follow your instructions, and supports a more dignified approach to care consistent with your values. For residents of Forest Hills and nearby Tennessee communities, having legally prepared directives in place also simplifies interactions with hospitals and care facilities and ensures that local law and medical protocols are respected when decisions must be made quickly.
Advance planning benefits people at any stage of life, not only those with current health problems. Accidents and sudden illnesses can render anyone unable to communicate, and having documents prepared in advance removes uncertainty during crises. Planning also creates an opportunity to discuss preferences with loved ones so they understand your values and can support your choices. Beyond immediate medical directives, related estate planning tools can be coordinated to protect financial affairs and reduce the possibility of later disputes or court interventions in Tennessee.
Common Situations Where Advance Directives Are Needed
Advance directives are commonly needed for people facing major surgery, receiving diagnoses of serious or progressive illness, entering long-term care, or for anyone who wants to prepare for unexpected incapacity. They are also important for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions who want to avoid unwanted interventions, and for families seeking clarity about decisions in acute hospital settings. Preparing directives before a crisis allows time for thoughtful decisions and communication, reducing strain and improving the chance that care will follow your wishes.
Planned Major Surgery or Medical Treatment
Individuals scheduled for major surgery often use advance directives to clarify preferences in case complications arise and capacity is temporarily lost. The directive can specify acceptable interventions, limits on aggressive measures, and designate an agent to make decisions. Having these documents available at the hospital ensures surgical teams and family members know your intentions and reduces delays if decisions are required during postoperative recovery. This preparation also protects your voice in decisions during vulnerable medical moments.
Diagnosis of a Progressive or Terminal Illness
Following a diagnosis of a progressive or terminal condition, advance directives allow you to describe preferred approaches to comfort care, hospice, and life-prolonging treatments. Early planning supports conversations with care teams about prognosis and treatment goals and ensures that directives reflect both medical realities and personal values. Documenting preferences reduces the chance of receiving treatments that you would not want and helps caregivers and medical staff tailor care to your priorities as the condition evolves.
Transition to Long-Term Care or Assisted Living
When planning a move to long-term care or assisted living, advance directives ensure that the facility and healthcare providers know your end-of-life and treatment preferences. These documents facilitate continuity of care during transitions and help staff implement wishes for comfort measures, hospitalization, or in-home services. Ensuring that directives are part of intake records and communicating them to caregivers helps avoid misunderstandings and supports a care plan that honors your decisions as you enter a new living arrangement.
Forest Hills Advance Directive and Living Will Services
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides comprehensive support with advance healthcare directives and living wills for residents of Forest Hills and surrounding communities. We help clients name appropriate agents, draft clear instructions for a range of medical situations, and ensure documents meet Tennessee witnessing or notarization requirements. Our goal is to make the process accessible and respectful, so clients leave with signed documents and a plan for distribution. We also assist with updates and coordination with other estate planning documents to provide a cohesive approach to incapacity and end-of-life planning.
Why Work with Our Firm for Advance Healthcare Planning
Choosing legal assistance for advance directives helps ensure documents comply with Tennessee law and are drafted in a way that medical personnel can follow. Our team focuses on clear language, proper execution, and practical distribution strategies so documents are available when needed. We take time to discuss values, likely scenarios, and the role of the healthcare agent, and we provide copies and guidance on how to share the directive with family and healthcare providers to reduce confusion during emergencies.
We help clients consider both immediate and future needs, coordinate healthcare directives with financial powers of attorney, and advise on storage and documentation practices. Our approach emphasizes planning that is realistic for your family situation and medical context. We also assist with revising directives following life changes and provide straightforward explanations of how the documents will operate in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities in Tennessee.
Clients working with our firm can expect patient guidance through the signing and witnessing process, recommendations for agent selection, and copies formatted for easy sharing with medical providers. We aim to reduce uncertainty by preparing directives that can be applied across care settings and by advising on how to communicate wishes to loved ones. Our team helps keep directives current so they remain effective as circumstances evolve.
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The Legal Process for Advance Directives at Our Firm
The process begins with an initial consultation to understand your goals, family dynamics, and health context. We discuss appointment of agents, treatment preferences, and any specific scenarios you wish to address. After clarifying priorities, we draft documents tailored to Tennessee requirements and review them with you to ensure accuracy. Once finalized, we arrange for proper signing and witnessing, provide multiple copies, and advise on distribution and storage so your directive can be used effectively when needed.
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Values Discussion
During the first meeting, we explore your values, medical preferences, and the people you trust to make decisions. This conversation helps identify whether a simple directive or a more comprehensive plan best fits your needs. We also outline Tennessee requirements for execution and explain how different choices may be applied in clinical settings. This part of the process ensures the written directive will reflect your priorities and prepares us to draft language that is both clear and legally effective.
Discussing Personal Priorities and Treatment Goals
We guide a structured discussion about priorities such as pain control, independence, and acceptable levels of intervention. This helps translate abstract preferences into concrete directions about life-sustaining treatments and comfort-focused care. Clarifying these goals reduces ambiguity and helps the healthcare agent make decisions consistent with your values. We recommend discussing these priorities with family members to prepare them for their roles and to avoid surprises during high-stress medical situations.
Selecting a Healthcare Agent and Alternates
Choosing an agent requires considering trustworthiness, decision-making ability, and proximity to care settings. We discuss potential candidates, the advantages of naming alternates, and the scope of authority you want to grant. Defining an agent’s authority and any limitations in writing minimizes later disputes. We also advise on communicating responsibilities to the chosen agent so they are prepared to act when necessary and understand where the directive will be kept for quick access.
Step 2: Drafting and Reviewing the Directive
After the consultation, we draft documents that capture your preferences and comply with Tennessee formality requirements. The draft is reviewed with you to ensure the language is clear and aligns with your wishes. We suggest practical clauses, address contingencies, and coordinate any related powers of attorney. During review, we answer questions about how directives apply in different medical scenarios and make revisions so the final document is both understandable and useful for clinicians and family decision-makers.
Preparing Clear, Actionable Instructions
The drafted directive focuses on practical phrases clinicians can apply, avoiding ambiguity that would leave room for conflicting interpretations. We include examples of scenarios and specify preferences about interventions such as ventilators, feeding tubes, and resuscitation, tailored to your comfort level. Clear, actionable instructions help medical teams make decisions quickly and prevent delay in urgent situations. We seek to balance sufficient detail with flexibility for unforeseen circumstances.
Coordinating with Medical Providers and Family
We discuss how to share the final directive with your primary care physician, specialists, and family members so it becomes part of your medical record and care planning. Advising the agent and family on where copies are kept and how to communicate the directive’s content reduces the chance of it being overlooked. Coordinating with providers helps ensure that the directive’s directives are integrated into care plans and available during hospital admissions and other clinical encounters.
Step 3: Execution, Distribution, and Ongoing Review
Execution involves signing the directive in the presence of required witnesses or a notary, as Tennessee law prescribes. After signing, we provide multiple copies and recommend placing a copy in your medical record or with your primary care physician. Regular review and updates are important after major life changes, new diagnoses, or changes in relationships. We offer follow-up services to revise documents and confirm that copies remain accessible to agents and healthcare providers.
Proper Signing and Witnessing Procedures
Ensuring that witnesses and notarization requirements are met is necessary for the directive’s legal validity in Tennessee. We walk clients through the signing process, provide witness forms, and can coordinate notarization when needed. Proper execution reduces the risk that institutions will question the document’s validity and helps prevent delays when decisions must be made. We also recommend keeping an execution log and copies to document when and where the directive was signed.
Maintaining and Updating Documents Over Time
Advance directives should be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in health, relationships, or personal values. We encourage clients to schedule reviews every few years or after significant life events. Updating the document and redistributing copies to your agent and medical providers keeps your plan actionable. We provide reminders and assistance with amendments or revocations so that your current preferences are the ones followed by clinicians and your appointed healthcare decision-maker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
What is the difference between a living will and an advance healthcare directive?
A living will typically addresses preferences about life-sustaining treatments under defined medical conditions, such as terminal illness or persistent unconsciousness. It sets forth whether you want interventions like mechanical ventilation or tube feeding in situations where recovery is unlikely. An advance healthcare directive can include a living will’s instructions and also appoint a healthcare agent to make decisions when you lack capacity, giving broader authority for decision-making based on your stated values. Choosing the right combination of documents depends on your goals and circumstances. Including both a living will and a directive that appoints an agent provides both specific treatment instructions and a trusted decision-maker to handle unforeseen situations. Proper execution according to Tennessee requirements helps ensure the documents can be used when needed.
Who should I appoint as my healthcare agent?
Appoint someone who knows your values, can make difficult decisions under stress, and is willing to communicate with medical staff and family. Consider proximity, availability, and temperament: an agent who lives nearby or can be reached easily may act more effectively in urgent situations. Naming alternates provides continuity if the primary agent is unavailable or unwilling to serve. It is important to discuss your preferences with the person you nominate so they understand the types of choices you would want. Providing guidance documents, copies of your directive, and a summary of your priorities will help the agent act confidently and in accordance with your wishes when called upon.
How do I make sure my directive is valid in Tennessee?
To ensure validity in Tennessee, follow statutory requirements for signing and witnessing or notarization. The document should clearly identify the person being appointed, state when the directive takes effect, and include your signature dated with the correct witness or notary details as required by law. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney can confirm that the form meets state standards and reduce the risk of later disputes. Storing copies with your physician, hospital, and named agent and ensuring all parties know where to find the directive further increases the likelihood it will be recognized and used. Regular reviews also help maintain validity as laws and personal circumstances change.
Can I change or revoke my advance directive later?
Yes, you can change or revoke your advance directive at any time as long as you have capacity to make decisions. Revisions should be made in writing and properly executed with the same formalities required for the original document. It is helpful to notify your agent, family, and medical providers of any changes and to replace old copies with updated versions to avoid confusion. If you revoke a directive, document the revocation clearly and communicate it to institutions where the original was filed. In some cases, creating a new directive that explicitly supersedes prior versions is the most effective way to ensure your current wishes are recognized.
Will hospitals and doctors follow my living will?
Hospitals and doctors generally follow living wills and advance directives when they are clear, properly executed, and accessible in a patient’s medical record. Clinical teams must also interpret documents in light of medical standards and the patient’s current condition. If instructions are ambiguous or conflict with medical judgment, clinicians may seek guidance from the designated agent or ethics committees to determine an appropriate course of action. Ensuring that directives use actionable language and are shared with your primary care physician and hospital helps ensure they are integrated into treatment planning. Appointing a well-informed agent who can advocate on your behalf also increases the chance your wishes will be followed.
Do I need a lawyer to prepare an advance directive or living will?
You are not legally required to have a lawyer prepare an advance directive or living will, and many valid forms can be completed without counsel. However, legal assistance is helpful when you want to ensure documents meet Tennessee execution requirements, coordinate healthcare directives with financial planning, or address complex family dynamics and medical contingencies. A lawyer can tailor language to reduce ambiguity and advise on witnessing or notarization procedures. If your situation is straightforward and you opt for a standard form, carefully follow the state’s instructions for signing and witnesses. If you have questions about legal effect, coordination with other documents, or the best way to implement your preferences, consulting a lawyer can provide clarity and confidence.
What should I discuss with my chosen healthcare agent?
Discuss specific treatment preferences, your values regarding quality of life, and scenarios you consider acceptable for life-sustaining measures. Talk through examples to help your agent understand thresholds for interventions like resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or prolonged artificial nutrition. Let them know how you want comfort-focused care handled and whether you prefer aggressive treatment in uncertain situations. Also cover practical matters: where your documents are stored, who else has copies, and contact information for physicians. Confirm your agent is willing to act and comfortable communicating with medical staff and family, and consider naming alternates in case they cannot serve when needed.
How are advance directives used in emergency situations?
In an emergency, advance directives guide clinicians and the appointed agent in immediate decision-making when the patient lacks capacity. If the directive is in the medical record or with the agent, it can be applied quickly to determine acceptable interventions. Emergency teams will follow the documented instructions when they are clear and legally valid, balancing clinical judgment with the patient’s stated wishes. If the directive is not available, medical staff may default to life-preserving measures until an agent can be contacted or a court order is obtained. For this reason, keeping documents accessible and notifying providers and family about your directive is essential for effective use in emergencies.
Should I include instructions about organ donation?
Including organ donation instructions in your advance directive clarifies your wishes and can make it easier for medical teams to follow them at the appropriate time. You can state whether you wish to donate organs or tissues and specify any limitations. Many people combine organ donation preferences with their directive so all end-of-life medical and postmortem wishes are in one place. It is also useful to inform family members and the appointed agent about your donation decision so they can communicate it quickly. Confirming that your donor status is recorded with relevant registries or your driver’s license can further support implementation when the time comes.
How often should I review or update my advance directives?
Review your advance directives every few years and after significant life changes such as a new diagnosis, a change in marital status, or the death or incapacity of a named agent. Updates ensure that the documents continue to reflect your current values, preferences, and available medical options. Regular review also helps confirm that copies are still in the right places and that medical providers have the latest version. If you relocate to another state, check whether your directives need revision to comply with local law, although many valid Tennessee documents are recognized elsewhere. When making updates, properly execute the revised document and distribute new copies to your agent, physician, and family.