A Practical Guide to Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills in Sparta, Tennessee
Advance healthcare directives and living wills allow you to state your medical care preferences and designate decision-makers before a health crisis occurs. For residents of Sparta and surrounding White County, planning ahead can ease decision-making for family members and ensure your wishes are known and respected. This page explains the forms commonly used in Tennessee, how they work together with other estate planning tools, and steps to create documents that reflect your values. If you have questions about legal language or how a directive will be used in a medical setting, contact Jay Johnson Law Firm for guidance tailored to local practice and state requirements.
Although healthcare planning can feel emotionally heavy, preparing an advance directive or living will removes uncertainty and helps family members avoid difficult choices during stressful times. These documents can cover life-sustaining treatment preferences, appoint a healthcare agent, and clarify comfort care priorities. Preparing them well in advance of any illness allows you to make thoughtful decisions, coordinate with family, and integrate directives into a broader estate plan. Jay Johnson Law Firm assists clients in Sparta and throughout Tennessee with drafting clear, legally enforceable directives that can be presented to medical providers and kept with other important records.
Why Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills Matter
Advance healthcare directives and living wills reduce confusion during medical emergencies by communicating your preferences for care and designating someone to make decisions on your behalf. They protect your autonomy by ensuring your wishes about life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and comfort care are recorded. These documents can also reduce conflict among family members and prevent delays in treatment when doctors need clear guidance. In Tennessee, properly executed directives are respected by providers and facilities; having them organized with other estate planning documents helps ensure they are available when needed and reduces stress for loved ones handling difficult choices.
About Jay Johnson Law Firm and Our Approach to Healthcare Planning
Jay Johnson Law Firm serves clients across Tennessee, including Sparta and White County, with a focus on estate planning and probate matters. Our approach emphasizes practical solutions, clear communication, and personalized documents that reflect clients’ values and family circumstances. We guide clients through selecting the right combination of advance directives, living wills, and related estate planning tools so their medical wishes are known and actionable. Helping families prepare for future healthcare decisions is part of our broader commitment to thoughtful planning, and we work to make the process straightforward and legally sound for every client.
Understanding Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that records your medical treatment preferences and appoints an agent to make healthcare decisions if you cannot. A living will is a type of directive that focuses specifically on instructions about life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. In Tennessee, these documents must meet statutory requirements to be effective with medical providers and institutions. Planning typically involves clarifying values, choosing a trusted decision-maker, and drafting language that aligns with state law so your wishes are clear and legally recognized by clinicians and hospitals when the time comes.
Creating an advance directive or living will also involves practical steps like discussing choices with family and healthcare providers, deciding where to store the documents, and ensuring copies are accessible when needed. You may also coordinate directives with power of attorney for financial matters and a last will to ensure overall planning consistency. Reviewing and updating directives after major life events such as marriage, divorce, or diagnosis of a serious condition helps keep them current. Our firm assists clients through each step, ensuring documents are signed, witnessed, and distributed appropriately within Tennessee’s legal framework.
Definition and How These Documents Work Together
An advance healthcare directive is a broad legal tool that may include appointment of a healthcare agent and written instructions about treatment preferences. A living will is a written statement that addresses whether to use or withhold life-sustaining medical interventions in specific circumstances. Together, these documents communicate both who should decide on your behalf and what medical choices you prefer. They complement other estate planning instruments such as financial powers of attorney by separating health decisions from financial and legal matters, which helps family members and providers act consistently with your overall plan and values.
Key Elements and Common Processes for Preparing Directives
Key elements include naming a trusted healthcare agent, specifying treatment preferences, addressing organ donation, and indicating preferences for pain management and comfort care. The process typically begins with a consultation to discuss values and medical choices, followed by drafting and signing the directive according to Tennessee requirements, which may include signatures and witness or notary acknowledgments. After execution, the directive should be shared with your agent, family, primary care physician, and any specialists. Periodic review ensures the documents remain aligned with current wishes and changing laws or medical options.
Key Terms and Glossary for Advance Healthcare Directives
Understanding common terms helps you make informed decisions when creating healthcare directives. This glossary defines phrases you will encounter, such as healthcare agent, living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare, and capacity. Familiarity with these terms makes conversations with legal counsel and medical providers clearer and helps you draft documents that reflect your preferences precisely. If any term is unclear, ask your attorney to explain how it applies in Tennessee and to your particular medical and family circumstances before signing.
Healthcare Agent
A healthcare agent is an individual you appoint to make medical decisions if you are unable to do so yourself. This person should understand your values and be willing to act on your behalf when healthcare providers need direction about treatments, tests, or life-sustaining measures. Choosing an agent involves considering their availability, communication skills with medical professionals, and ability to handle emotionally charged situations. After naming an agent, you should have candid conversations about your wishes so they can confidently represent your preferences should the need arise.
Living Will
A living will is a legal document that sets out your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and other medical interventions if you are facing a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness. It helps medical professionals and family members understand your choices about measures such as ventilators, artificial nutrition, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. A clear living will removes ambiguity and helps healthcare providers follow your wishes in accordance with Tennessee law, reducing the burden on loved ones who might otherwise have to guess what you would want.
Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
A durable power of attorney for healthcare is a document that appoints a person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to do so. Unlike a living will, which focuses on treatment preferences, this power allows your agent to make a wide range of healthcare choices, including consenting to or refusing treatment, accessing medical records, and consulting with providers. It remains in effect even if you become incapacitated, provided it is executed properly under Tennessee rules, and serves as a central tool for ensuring your medical decisions are handled by someone you trust.
Capacity
Capacity refers to a person’s ability to understand relevant information and make informed decisions about medical treatment. Healthcare providers assess capacity when determining whether a patient can consent to or refuse care. If a patient lacks capacity, an appointed healthcare agent or court-appointed guardian may make decisions consistent with the patient’s previously expressed wishes. Documenting your preferences while you have capacity ensures your voice is heard even if circumstances later leave you unable to communicate decisions directly.
Comparing Limited Directives and Comprehensive Healthcare Planning
When planning for medical decision-making, you can opt for a limited directive addressing a single issue or a comprehensive plan that covers broader scenarios and appoints an agent. Limited directives can be quicker to prepare and useful for narrow concerns, while comprehensive planning provides a more complete record of preferences and a designated decision-maker to navigate unforeseen situations. Choosing between them depends on family dynamics, health status, and the level of detail you want documented. We help clients weigh the pros and cons and select the approach that best fits their circumstances.
When a Limited Directive May Be Appropriate:
Addressing a Specific Medical Preference
A limited directive can be suitable when you have a specific, narrowly defined preference, such as refusing a particular treatment or clarifying wishes about a single procedure. This approach is often chosen by individuals seeking to ensure a clear, immediate instruction about a targeted medical decision without drafting a full suite of planning documents. It can be completed more quickly and may be appropriate for those comfortable with leaving wider decisions to family members or treating physicians, though it may not cover the full range of conditions that could arise over time.
Short-Term or Situation-Specific Needs
A limited directive can work well for temporary or situation-specific circumstances, such as planned surgeries, travel, or short-term health concerns where you want to record instructions relevant to a foreseeable event. This allows you to be precise about treatment preferences for that window of time without committing to a broader plan. For longer-term protection and clarity across multiple scenarios, however, many people choose to expand their documents later to include a durable healthcare power of attorney and a living will.
Why a Comprehensive Healthcare Plan Is Often Preferred:
Planning for Multiple Future Scenarios
A comprehensive healthcare plan anticipates a range of medical circumstances and records both your preferences and a designated agent to act on your behalf. This reduces uncertainty when new or unexpected health issues arise, because the chosen decision-maker has authority to consult with providers and implement your documented wishes. A well-rounded plan also integrates with other estate documents, helping ensure consistency between healthcare choices and financial or end-of-life arrangements that may affect your family’s ability to carry out your care preferences.
Reducing Family Disagreements and Administrative Burden
Comprehensive planning helps reduce the likelihood of conflict among relatives by naming a clear decision-maker and providing written guidance about medical choices. When disputes do arise, having formal documents in place helps guide providers and courts toward honoring your stated wishes. Additionally, a complete plan eases administrative burdens by centralizing instructions, identifying where documents are stored, and providing contact information for your agent and healthcare providers, so decisions can be made efficiently and with less stress for family members.
Benefits of a Comprehensive Healthcare Directive and Planning Approach
A comprehensive approach ensures your medical preferences are clear, designates a trusted decision-maker, and coordinates healthcare instructions with your overall estate plan. This reduces the chance of contradictory documents, provides continuity of care across different providers, and helps ensure your values guide decisions if you cannot communicate them yourself. It also gives family members confidence that a named agent can represent your wishes, avoiding ambiguous scenarios that often create stress and delay. Ultimately, a broad plan provides peace of mind by documenting choices ahead of time.
Comprehensive planning goes beyond immediate treatment preferences to include instructions about comfort measures, organ donation, and when life-sustaining treatment should be used or withheld. It also sets expectations for ongoing medical decision-making and can include contingencies for successor agents if your primary agent is unavailable. By addressing multiple possibilities and keeping documents current, you help ensure that healthcare professionals and loved ones have the information they need to act in alignment with your wishes during any medical crisis.
Clarity for Care Providers and Families
Clear directives help medical teams make timely decisions by providing documented instructions that reduce ambiguity about treatment preferences. This clarity protects your moral and medical priorities during urgent care when quick decisions are needed. For families, having written guidance reduces the emotional burden of guessing what the patient would have wanted and decreases the likelihood of disputes. A comprehensive approach ensures both providers and relatives have a consistent understanding of your choices, which supports smoother communication and better alignment between care decisions and your values.
Legal Recognizability and Practical Use
Documents prepared to comply with Tennessee law are more likely to be recognized and relied upon by hospitals and clinics, making them practically useful when needed. A comprehensive plan that includes properly executed signatures and required witnesses or notaries reduces the chance of disputes over validity. Practical considerations such as storing copies with medical providers and informing emergency contacts increase the likelihood that your directives will be consulted. This legal readiness means your documented wishes are more likely to be honored across different care settings.
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Practical Tips for Advance Healthcare Directives
Choose and prepare your healthcare agent carefully
Select a healthcare agent who understands your values, communicates well with family, and is willing to make medical decisions under pressure. Discuss your preferences in detail so they can act confidently when needed. Provide them with a copy of the directive and keep contact information up to date. Consider naming backup agents in case the primary agent is unavailable, and document any specific scenarios where you want the agent to follow a particular course of action. Regular conversations help ensure your agent follows your wishes accurately when the time comes.
Keep your documents accessible and share copies
Review and update directives after major life events
Review your advance directive and living will whenever you experience major life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a new medical diagnosis. These events may alter your preferences or require a different agent. Updating your documents ensures they reflect your current wishes and remain compliant with Tennessee law. Even in the absence of big changes, schedule periodic reviews every few years to confirm the language still matches your intent and to reaffirm your selections with family and healthcare providers.
Reasons to Create an Advance Healthcare Directive or Living Will
Creating an advance healthcare directive and living will gives you control over future medical decisions and ensures your preferences are respected if you are unable to communicate. These documents reduce stress for loved ones who might otherwise make difficult choices without guidance. They also provide clear instructions to medical teams, helping to align treatment plans with your values. For residents of Sparta and White County, having properly drafted directives can make the difference between ambiguous decision-making and a plan that guides providers and family members through high-pressure situations.
Another reason to consider formalizing healthcare directives is to coordinate medical wishes with broader estate planning documents, creating a comprehensive plan that covers health, finances, and end-of-life matters. Doing so helps prevent conflicts between documents and ensures consistency across legal instruments. Advance directives also facilitate timely decision-making by providing legal authority to an appointed agent, which can prevent delays and unnecessary interventions. Planning ahead gives peace of mind and a clear path for loved ones during stressful medical moments.
Common Circumstances That Lead People to Make Directives
People often create advance directives after receiving a significant medical diagnosis, before major surgery, when approaching retirement, or as part of estate planning following life milestones such as marriage or parenthood. Others prepare directives after observing the stress families face when a loved one lacked guidance. Directives also become important when chronic illness progresses or when family dynamics make it important to name a trusted decision-maker. Preparing documents early gives more time for reflection and discussion, helping ensure choices are carefully considered and legally documented.
Before Major Medical Procedures
Many people decide to formalize healthcare directives before undergoing major surgery or medical procedures that carry risks. Having instructions in place allows surgeons and hospital staff to proceed with informed knowledge of your preferences if complications arise and you cannot communicate. Pre-procedure planning also gives your chosen agent time to understand expectations and prepare to act if necessary. This precaution can streamline hospital admissions and ensure that your treatment aligns with previously stated wishes without added delay or uncertainty during an emergency.
After a Serious Diagnosis
A new or worsening medical diagnosis often prompts individuals to document their treatment preferences and appoint a healthcare agent. Facing a serious condition encourages consideration of possible outcomes and the types of interventions you would or would not want. Creating or updating directives after a diagnosis allows you to specify choices that are informed by your current medical reality and to discuss those choices with family and providers. Having written instructions helps ensure continuity of care that respects your priorities as your condition evolves.
As Part of Comprehensive Estate Planning
Many clients include advance healthcare directives as part of a full estate plan that also addresses financial powers of attorney, wills, and beneficiary designations. Integrating healthcare directives with other planning documents promotes consistency across your legal affairs and simplifies administration for loved ones. A coordinated approach helps ensure that medical and financial decisions are aligned with your overall goals, and it reduces the potential for conflicting instructions or confusion about who should act on your behalf in different situations.
Sparta Healthcare Directive and Living Will Services
Jay Johnson Law Firm provides practical assistance with advance healthcare directives and living wills for residents of Sparta and White County. We help clients identify treatment preferences, select a healthcare agent, draft documents that comply with Tennessee law, and distribute copies to appropriate parties. Our goal is to make this process as straightforward and comfortable as possible while ensuring documents are legally effective and easy for providers and family to use. Reach out to discuss your needs and arrange a meeting to begin preparing your healthcare planning documents.
Why Work with Jay Johnson Law Firm for Healthcare Planning
Clients choose Jay Johnson Law Firm because we focus on clear communication and practical planning that fits individual circumstances. We guide you through selecting and drafting the right combination of documents for your situation, explaining how each instrument functions in Tennessee so you can make informed choices. Our approach emphasizes listening to your goals and translating them into documents that are straightforward for medical providers and family members to follow when needed.
We assist with executing directives in accordance with statutory requirements, help distribute copies to healthcare providers and designated agents, and advise on steps to keep documents current. Our goal is to reduce uncertainty and provide clients with actionable directives that are ready when a medical decision must be made. We also coordinate directives with broader estate planning to ensure your wishes are reflected consistently across legal instruments and administrative arrangements.
If you prefer, we can meet in the office or arrange a phone consultation to discuss your options and prepare documents that suit your family and medical circumstances. We are available to explain how Tennessee law affects the form and execution of directives and to assist with any follow-up needed to ensure documents are effective and accessible. Call Jay Johnson Law Firm to schedule a consultation and begin the planning process in Sparta.
Contact Jay Johnson Law Firm to Start Your Healthcare Planning
How the Legal Process Works at Our Firm
Our process begins with an initial consultation to understand your goals, family situation, and any current medical issues that may affect planning. We discuss different directive options and their practical effects, then draft documents tailored to your preferences and in compliance with Tennessee law. After review and revision, we execute the documents with the necessary signatures and witnesses, provide copies to designated parties, and advise on storage and periodic review. We remain available for updates or questions as circumstances change.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Planning
The first step is a conversation to identify your medical values, concerns, and who you trust to make decisions on your behalf. We ask about prior health directives, family dynamics, and any specific instructions you want included. This discussion shapes the drafting phase and helps us recommend whether a living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare, or both are appropriate. We also explain Tennessee formalities to ensure the final documents will be recognized by medical providers.
Discussing Your Values and Preferences
During this discussion we explore scenarios that matter most to you, such as preferences about ventilators, feeding tubes, resuscitation, and comfort care. Talking through hypothetical situations helps clarify the language that will be included in your directive so it reflects your priorities precisely. These conversations also help you and your chosen healthcare agent understand expectations and reduce ambiguity when decisions arise, facilitating clearer communication with medical professionals.
Selecting an Agent and Backup Agents
We help you consider potential agents based on availability, willingness to act, and ability to communicate with providers and family. Naming backup agents addresses the risk that the primary agent may be unavailable or unwilling to serve. Documenting succession plans in the directive helps ensure someone is authorized to make decisions in a timely manner, and we advise on how to discuss these roles with those you name to confirm their understanding and acceptance.
Step Two: Drafting and Review
After the planning conversation, we draft clear, tailored directives that reflect your documented preferences and comply with Tennessee law. The draft is reviewed with you to confirm wording and make any necessary adjustments. We recommend including practical instructions for handling copies and communication with healthcare providers to increase the document’s usefulness. Once you approve the content, we prepare the final documents for signing with the required acknowledgments.
Preparing Documents that Meet Tennessee Requirements
Tennessee has formal requirements for certain healthcare documents, and we ensure your directive meets those standards to avoid disputes about validity. This includes correct signature blocks, witness or notary language if needed, and provisions that clearly state your intentions. Compliance increases the likelihood that hospitals and clinics will accept the document without delay, which is essential when rapid medical decisions are required. We also provide guidance on any state-specific forms recognized by local institutions.
Client Review and Final Adjustments
We review the draft with you to ensure the language is precise and the instructions reflect your wishes. This step allows for clarification of terms and adjustment of scenarios to better match your preferences. We encourage clients to ask questions and involve their chosen agent in the review so everyone understands the directives. After final changes, we prepare the documents for execution with the appropriate signing procedures.
Step Three: Execution, Distribution, and Ongoing Review
Once documents are executed, we advise on distributing copies to your healthcare agent, family members, and medical providers. We explain best practices for storing originals and maintaining accessible copies in case of emergency. Periodic review is recommended to ensure documents remain accurate after major life events or changes in health. If updates are needed, we assist with revisions and re-execution so your directives continue to reflect your current wishes and legal standards.
Executing Documents with Proper Formalities
Execution may require witness signatures or notarization depending on the document and Tennessee law. We coordinate the signing process to meet these formalities and provide instructions for keeping originals and certified copies. Proper execution reduces the risk that a medical facility will question the directive’s validity and ensures your agent has clear authority. We supply copies and recommend storing the originals in a secure but accessible location.
Updating Documents Over Time
Life events like marriage, divorce, illness, or the death of an appointed agent can require updates to your directive. We recommend reviewing documents every few years or after major changes and can assist with amendments or drafting new directives as needed. Maintaining current documents avoids confusion and ensures that your most recent wishes are known and accessible to both family and healthcare providers when decisions arise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Advance Healthcare Directives and Living Wills
What is the difference between an advance healthcare directive and a living will?
An advance healthcare directive is a broad legal arrangement that can include naming a healthcare agent and recording treatment preferences, while a living will more specifically addresses instructions for life-sustaining treatment in certain end-of-life situations. Both documents are tools to communicate your medical wishes when you cannot speak for yourself. Together they provide both a choice of decision-maker and specific treatment instructions, which helps medical professionals and family members follow your desires during a health crisis. To decide which documents you need, consider whether you want to appoint someone to make a wide range of healthcare decisions or simply record instructions for particular scenarios. Many people choose both: a durable power of attorney for healthcare to name an agent and a living will to specify treatment preferences. Discussing options with legal counsel and family members helps ensure the combination you choose will be practical and recognized by providers in Tennessee.
Who should I appoint as my healthcare agent?
Choose a healthcare agent who knows your values, is willing to make decisions under pressure, and can communicate effectively with medical staff and family. This person should be available when needed and able to follow your directions even if they disagree personally with your choices. Consider whether they live locally or can travel if circumstances require in-person decision-making, and whether they can handle potentially contentious situations. It is also wise to name alternate agents in case your first choice is unavailable or unwilling to serve. Discuss your decisions with the person you intend to appoint so they understand your priorities and will act in accordance with your documented wishes. Having clear conversations reduces confusion and improves the likelihood your preferences will be followed when it matters most.
Do advance directives need to be notarized in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, certain healthcare directives may require witness signatures or notarization to be fully effective, depending on the specific form and local policies. While some documents are valid without notarization, having the directive witnessed or notarized can strengthen its acceptance by hospitals and clinics. Proper execution reduces the chance that medical providers will question the document’s validity during urgent situations, which helps ensure your wishes are followed. We recommend discussing the execution requirements for the forms you plan to use with legal counsel to confirm compliance with Tennessee law and facility practices. Ensuring the correct formalities are observed at signing is a small step that improves the directive’s practical utility and reduces potential administrative barriers when it needs to be relied upon.
Can I change or revoke my directive later?
Yes, you can change or revoke your advance directive or living will at any time while you have decision-making capacity. Common methods include drafting a new document that supersedes the prior one, physically destroying the old document, or providing written notice of revocation. After making changes, distribute updated copies to your healthcare agent, family, and providers to avoid confusion about which document is current. If changes occur because of life events or changes in your health, consult with an attorney to ensure the new directive is executed properly under Tennessee law. Keeping a record of the most recent version and confirming that providers have the updated document helps ensure your most current wishes are honored.
How do providers know about my directive in an emergency?
To make sure providers know about your directive, give copies to your primary care physician, hospitals you use frequently, and your designated healthcare agent. Keep the original in a safe but accessible place and provide your agent with a copy to present in an emergency. Some people use a wallet card or register documents with a secure digital platform that medical providers can access. Hospitals and clinics vary in how they store advance directives, so proactively distributing copies and informing your healthcare team improves the chance that instructions will be available when needed. When you undergo treatment or are admitted, remind staff that you have an advance directive so they can place it in your medical record.
What happens if family members disagree with my directive?
If family members disagree with the choices in your directive, the written document and appointed agent provide the clearest guide for providers to follow. A valid, properly executed directive typically carries significant weight and helps resolve conflicts by showing your expressed wishes. When disputes persist, medical facilities may involve ethics committees or seek court guidance to resolve disagreements while prioritizing the patient’s documented instructions. Keeping your directives detailed and discussing your wishes with family ahead of time reduces the likelihood of disputes. Naming a trusted agent and explaining the reasons for your choices helps family members understand your perspective and supports smoother decision-making if disagreements arise.
Will a living will cover decisions about pain management and comfort care?
Yes, living wills commonly include instructions about comfort measures and pain management to ensure your preferences for end-of-life care are considered. These provisions can specify whether you prefer aggressive measures to prolong life or prioritize comfort and symptom relief. Clear language about preferences for pain control, hospice care, or palliative measures helps medical teams balance treatment goals with your desired quality of life. Discussing comfort care preferences with your agent and providers ensures your wishes are realistic and medically appropriate. Including these instructions in a living will complements other directives and offers guidance that caregivers can use to support your comfort during serious illness.
Should I include organ donation instructions in my directive?
Including organ donation instructions in your advance directive or living will ensures your wishes regarding donation are documented and communicated to medical staff and family. You can specify whether you want to donate organs, tissues, or eyes, and indicate any limitations or preferences. Recording these intentions helps medical teams follow your wishes promptly if donation becomes possible, and it provides guidance to loved ones who might otherwise face a difficult decision. Many people also record organ donation preferences on state donor registries or on their driver’s license if applicable, but including the choice in your directive adds an additional, legally recognized statement of intent that can be used by healthcare providers and transplant coordinators.
How often should I review my advance directive?
Review your advance directive every few years and after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a serious diagnosis, or the death of a named agent. Regular reviews ensure the document continues to reflect your current values, medical options, and the people you trust to act on your behalf. Periodic updates prevent outdated instructions from creating confusion during urgent situations. Even if no major events occur, a scheduled review provides peace of mind that your documents still match your wishes. If you decide to make changes, consult with legal counsel to execute updated documents properly and distribute the new version to all relevant parties.
Can Jay Johnson Law Firm help me prepare and update these documents?
Yes, Jay Johnson Law Firm helps clients prepare, execute, and update advance healthcare directives and living wills that meet Tennessee requirements. We guide you through selecting appropriate language, naming an agent, and ensuring execution formalities are observed so documents will be accepted by healthcare providers and facilities. Our role includes advising on distribution and storage to maximize the documents’ practical usefulness when needed. We also assist with revisions after life changes and coordinate healthcare directives with broader estate planning documents to promote consistency across your legal affairs. Contact the firm to schedule a consultation and begin creating or updating the documents that reflect your medical preferences and planning goals.