Having an advance directive in Nevada is essential when it comes to long-term care and estate planning. No matter your current health condition or your age, having an advance directive in place provides future security in case you ever become unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself.
If you want to fill out the Nevada medical directive forms to include in your estate plan, you need to hire an estate planning attorney in Nevada. At Morris Estate Planning Attorneys, our collective years of experience in estate planning have equipped us with the knowledge we need to help Nevada residents make informed decisions regarding their future. Keep reading to find out if you need an advance directive in Nevada, and if so, what this document includes.
What Is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive in Nevada is a legal document that outlines your future healthcare desires and preferences. This document is usually created in advance of any serious illness and acts as a safety net to ensure your wishes are upheld even if you become unable to advocate for yourself.
Along with outlining your desired healthcare, you can also name somebody in your advance directive who will have the power to make decisions on your behalf. For example, you can name a healthcare or medical agent, which would give that individual the ability to make legal decisions about your medical care if you become unable to do so yourself.
Keep in mind that advance directives include a group of legal documents, not just a single document. This includes documents like:
- Living wills
- Durable power of attorney for healthcare
- Do not resuscitate orders
- Do not intubate orders
Legal Requirements for Advance Directives in Nevada
Because the Nevada medical directive form is a legally binding document, there are certain requirements you must meet for this document to be valid. Some of the main legal rules surround who can create an advance directive. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, and you have to be of sound mind.
Additionally, the advance directive needs to be attested by two competent witnesses or by a notary public. At least one of the witnesses must also sign an additional declaration for the advance directive to be valid.
If you are still confused by the requirements for advance directives, an estate planning attorney who prepares advance directives can help you fill out this document, ensuring it is legally binding.
Components of an Advance Directive in Nevada
Even though there are many different legal documents that fall under the category of being an advance directive, the components are often the same. Here are some of the main aspects of an advance directive you may need to fill out or include when drawing up this legal document:
- Healthcare agent: A healthcare agent under a health care power of attorney or advance directive is the person of your choosing who will act on your behalf if you become incapacitated or unable to make medical decisions for yourself. You’ll need to make sure your healthcare agent meets the Nevada requirements, is willing to take on this role, and will follow your last wishes and make decisions in your best interest.
- End-of-life treatment: An important part of an advance directive is outlining your end-of-life treatment preferences. This can include whether you want CPR, mechanical ventilation, tube feeding, dialysis, etc.
- Organ and body donation: You also need to outline how you wish your body to be treated at the time of your death. This may include whether or not you want to contribute to organ or tissue donation, or if you wish to donate your body to a scientific study.
Why Advance Directives Are Crucial
Having an advance directive is not just beneficial; it is a necessity. This legal document outlines your medical wishes in case you become unable to make decisions for yourself in the future. It also names somebody that you trust to uphold these wishes and act as your advocate.
Additionally, having an advance directive in place will reduce the stress on your loved ones. They will not have to make difficult medical decisions on your behalf, as you will already have provided instructions. This can also help to prevent court involvement and medical disputes that can become costly and very emotional for loved ones.
For individuals with significant health concerns, this gives them more power over the future and allows them to take control of their future healthcare.
When to Update Your Advance Directive
Even though an advance healthcare directive in Las Vegas is legally binding, this does not mean that it cannot be updated. You have the ability to update advance directives if your situation has changed and you want this legal document to reflect that.
For example, you may need to review and change the details of your advance directive if you have received a new diagnosis. Or, you may want to revise your healthcare agent if you have gotten married, divorced, or become a widower.
It is also recommended to review your advance directive every few years just to ensure it is still in line with your present wishes.
FAQ Section
Can I change my advance directive later?
Yes, advance directives can be changed anytime you like; you will just have to fill out a new form to do so.
Do doctors in Nevada have to follow my advance directive?
Yes, an advance directive is a legally binding document that tells healthcare providers what treatment you do or do not want. There are some instances where healthcare providers may try to go against this, which is why it is important to have a healthcare agent to protect your best interests.
Contact a Dependable Estate Planning Attorney at Morris Estate Planning Attorneys
Setting up an advance directive in Nevada is one of the many steps you need to take when it comes to end-of-life planning in Las Vegas. This is something that everybody should do, as the future is uncertain and you want to make sure your wishes will be upheld.
At Morris Estate Planning Attorneys, our estate planning lawyers are dedicated to providing our clients with the legal assistance they need as they navigate durable power of attorney for healthcare in Nevada. Contact us today at 702-471-0990 to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys.