You've probably seen plenty of medical television shows where family members stand beside the bed of an unconscious loved one, agonizing to make decisions about their medical treatment and how to best honor their wishes: Would they want extreme life saving measures? Would they want to live the rest of their life plugged into machines? Is organ donation something they would have chosen to do?

Unfortunately, this happens all too often in real life, but it's a situation that's easily avoidable. By creating an advanced directive, you can document your personal wishes for your medical care – outlining specific treatments that you do and do not want and designating one person to make those decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself. Advanced directives are often part of the Oregon estate planning services provided by Kali Yost Law, and we pride ourselves on combining expertise with compassion and care to ensure we meet your needs.

What is an Advanced Directive?

An advanced directive is a legal document in which you designate a representative to make healthcare decisions for you and provide instructions for your medical treatment if you become incapacitated. Also called a healthcare directive or medical power of attorney, it's a way of making sure your loved ones have all the information they need to honor your wishes if you're not able to make your own medical decisions. 

You can think of an advanced directive like an insurance policy for both you and your family: In the case of an accident or health emergency, your treatment preferences will be clear, and you'll eliminate any guilt and uncertainty your family faces as they make difficult decisions about your health.

Working with the experienced attorneys at Kali Yost Law, it's easy to complete an advanced directive that clearly outlines your medical wishes. We'll walk you through all the details, including:

  • designating a “healthcare representative” to work with your medical providers and make your healthcare decisions if you're unable to make them yourself
  • detailing which medical procedures you do or do not want, including do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, do-not-intubate (DNI) instructions
  • clarifying your wishes about organ donation and completing your organ donor registration (if desired)

Do I Need an Advanced Directive in Oregon?

At Kali Yost Law, we highly recommend creating an advanced directive, also commonly called a Living Will, as part of the estate planning process. It's a simple way to document your medical treatment preferences to ensure you get the care you want – and don't get care that isn't right for you – before you're in a situation where those decisions need to be made. If you're ready to create yours, we can help you to navigate the legalities and complete it correctly, so your advanced directive is legally valid and in compliance with the applicable Oregon laws.

Since an Advanced Directive can be contested in court just like a personal will, we also encourage you to have a detailed conversation with the person you've designated as your healthcare representative – as well as with other family members who may be affected. These conversations can be difficult, but by talking loved ones through your wishes under a range of potential circumstances, you can help them to confidently understand exactly what you want, reducing the chances there will be any disputes about your intentions.

What is a POLST – and do I need one?

In Oregon, some patients also have the option of “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment,” known as POLST. Designed for patients who have advanced illnesses or who face death in the foreseeable future, the POLST form provides specific instructions for emergency medical responders and healthcare professionals about the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other medical interventions. 

POLST forms are recommended only for patients who are in the advanced stages of terminal illness, and they should be reviewed regularly as a patient's diagnosis or condition changes. If a POLST is right for your circumstances, Kali Yost Law can advise you on how to complete the form and to post it prominently in your home so that your wishes are clearly visible for first responders in the event of an emergency.

Preparing for Your Future – Your Way

Creating your advanced directive today is the best way to make sure that your healthcare wishes are followed, no matter what tomorrow may bring – the attorneys at Kali Yost Law are here to guide you through every step of the process with empathy and compassion. We have years of estate planning experience and will listen closely to understand your needs and craft an advanced directive that aligns with your values and beliefs.

If you're ready to put a plan in place for your family and your future, then contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your advanced directive today. We look forward to helping!