Secure Your Future Healthcare Wishes: Advance Health Directives

Life is unpredictable. Accidents, illnesses, and age-related conditions can strike anyone at any time
But you can take control of your healthcare future with an Advance Health Directive (AHD). This legal document outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you lose the capacity to make decisions yourself.

While many people understand the significance of creating a Will to outline the distribution of assets after passing away, few take steps to ensure that their healthcare preferences are communicated to and respected by doctors and family members.

The importance of expressing your healthcare issues transcends age. Regardless of your stage of life, it’s crucial to communicate your preferences to your loved ones and medical professionals. You never know when your healthcare wishes will need to be acted upon.

CLO Lawyers Toowoomba's Wills & Estates team will assist you in creating a personalised AHD and provide copies to inform those you nominate, giving you peace of mind.

Advance Care Planning

We recommend you initiate advance care planning by discussing your future medical treatment wishes with family, friends, caregivers, and your healthcare team. Critical documents for advance care planning include:

Advance Health Directive (AHD)

An AHD is a legal document detailing your preferences for future medical treatment and allowing the appointment of a substitute decision-maker for health matters. It becomes effective if you have impaired capacity.

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)

An EPOA appoints a substitute decision-maker for health and/or financial matters in the event of impaired capacity.

Statement of Choices

While not legally binding, a Statement of Choices focuses on your wishes, values, and beliefs. It is commonly used in healthcare settings such as residential aged-care facilities. It doesn’t operate as a substitute decision-maker.

The Vital Role of the AHD

Often referred to as a “living Will,” an AHD ensures that your healthcare wishes are known and respected when critical health issues arise.

It comes into effect only when you cannot make decisions about the healthcare choices specified in the document because of a lack of capacity.

Any direction in an AHD will have priority over a general or a specific power for health matters given under an enduring power of attorney.

Why an AHD is Important

  • Peace of mind for you and your family – knowing your wishes are respected brings comfort and reduces stress for everyone involved.
  • Avoids difficult decisions – your loved ones won’t have to guess or face agonising choices about your care.
  • Ensures your wishes are followed because an AHD clarifies your preferences for life support, pain management, and other critical treatments.
  • Protects against unwanted interventions – you can decline treatments you find unacceptable.

Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Act

Creating an AHD is a proactive step towards securing your future healthcare. It is especially crucial if you are experiencing:

  • A chronic illness or risk factors for future health issues
  • Upcoming surgery or medical procedures
  • Concerns about losing capacity due to age or other circumstances.

The CLO Lawyers Wills & Estates Team is Here to Help

Our experienced Wills & Estates team can guide you through every step of the AHD process, ensuring that your healthcare planning is:
  • Tailored to your specific needs and wishes
  • Legally valid and enforceable
  • Understood and respected by your loved ones and healthcare providers.
At CLO Lawyers, we provide:
  • Compassionate and understanding legal guidance
  • Clear communication and personalised attention
  • Affordable and transparent fees
  • Convenient location in the heart of Toowoomba.

Contact CLO Lawyers Today

Advance Health Directives - Wills & Estates | CLO Lawyers, Toowoomba QLD
Take the proactive step to secure your healthcare future today. Contact CLO Lawyers Toowoomba and create your personalized Advance Health Directive for peace of mind tomorrow.
Contact CLO Lawyers to discuss your AHD needs with our friendly and knowledgeable team. Don’t leave your healthcare wishes to chance. Choose CLO Lawyers and secure your future with peace of mind.

Advance Health Directives FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

To create an AHD, you must be 18 years or older, understand its nature and effect, and do so voluntarily without external pressure.

You never know when your circumstances may change, requiring healthcare treatment.

Consider making an AHD before urgent health issues arise, especially if you have chronic medical conditions, anticipate undergoing a medical procedure, or engage in high-risk activities.

Our Wills & Estates team will guide you through the process, including drafting and finalisation.
Your doctor can provide information about your current health, possible future health scenarios, and the benefits and risks of various medical treatments.

The AHD must be signed by your doctor. It must also be witnessed by a lawyer, a justice of the peace, a commissioner for declarations, or a notary public.

An AHD appointing an attorney for health matters must be signed by your attorney to accept their appointment after you and the witness have signed the document.

You do not have to file or register your AHD once it is completed. However, it should be kept in a safe place, and its existence should be communicated to family members and healthcare providers.

You can revoke or change it in writing or by creating a new AHD inconsistent with the first. Regular reviews of your AHD, especially with significant health changes, are recommended.

An AHD can be contested due to a lack of capacity, undue influence, misunderstanding, or an invalid AHD document.