Texas Healthcare Directives Attorneys

Protecting Your Voice When You Cannot Speak for Yourself

Planning your medical care ahead allows you to set your standards and expectations early, so that your wishes can be respected if you ever can’t make medical decisions yourself. Healthcare directives (sometimes called advance directives) allow you to set out clear instructions about the type of medical care or long-term care you want if you become unable to communicate, such as due to a physical or mental incapacitation.

At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we understand how sensitive decisions about medical care are. Our attorneys approach every healthcare directive case with both compassion and professionalism, creating documents that reflect your values while meeting all legal requirements. Whether you need to create, update, or enforce a healthcare directive, we are here to guide you.

Contact us online today or call (254) 938-6885 to learn more about healthcare directives and if you should have one in place.

What Is a Healthcare Directive?

A healthcare directive is a legal document that communicates your medical care preferences in the event you cannot make or relay decisions for yourself.

In Texas, common forms include:

• Directive to Physicians (living will) – Outlines what types of life-sustaining treatment you want or do not want, such as in the case of severe injury or illness.
• Medical power of attorney – Names a trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf.
• Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate (OOH-DNR) Orders – Specifies that emergency personnel should not use CPR or other resuscitation methods outside a hospital.

By putting these instructions in writing, you reduce confusion, avoid disputes, and help doctors and family members respect your wishes. Your loved ones will also appreciate that important and stressful decisions have been made for them ahead of time.

What Can a Healthcare Directive Do?

A healthcare directive is an estate planning tool that gives you control over your future medical care, even if you cannot speak for yourself. Without clear instructions, family members and doctors may be left to guess at what you would want, which can lead to confusion, stress, or conflict during already difficult times. By putting your choices in writing, you protect your autonomy and give your loved ones the peace of mind that they are honoring your wishes.

A healthcare directive can:

• Make your treatment preferences clear, including the use of ventilators, feeding tubes, and resuscitation.
• Appoint a trusted person to make decisions consistent with your values.
• Prevent family conflict by giving doctors a definitive guide to follow.
• Protect your dignity, even when you cannot directly advocate for yourself.

How an Attorney Can Help with Healthcare Directives

Working with an attorney helps keep your healthcare directive legally valid and designed to meet your needs. Small mistakes or vague language can create uncertainty in an emergency, and outdated documents may not reflect your current wishes. An experienced attorney can help you craft clear, enforceable instructions that leave no room for doubt, while also making sure your directive fits seamlessly into your larger estate plan.

A Texas healthcare directive attorney from our firm can:

• Draft new directives that reflect your wishes and meet legal requirements.
• Update directives to reflect changes in your health, relationships, or personal beliefs.
• Interpret directives for families or providers facing uncertainty.
• Protect directives if their validity is questioned in a dispute.
• Coordinate with estate planning tools like wills, trusts, and powers of attorney for comprehensive protection.

FAQs About Healthcare Directives in Texas

Are healthcare directives legally binding in Texas?
Yes. As long as they meet Texas’s legal requirements, healthcare directives must be followed by medical providers.

Can I change my healthcare directive later?
Yes. You can update or revoke a directive at any time, as long as you have decision-making capacity. An attorney can help with this process, too.

Do I need both a living will and a medical power of attorney?
Often, yes. A living will addresses treatment preferences, while a medical power of attorney names someone to make decisions not covered in writing.

What happens if I don’t have a healthcare directive?
Without one, family members and doctors must make decisions without clear guidance, which can lead to conflict or care you might not have chosen.

Can my directive be challenged in court?
Yes. You can hire an attorney to defend your directive in court if needed, though.

What are common issues with healthcare directives?
Even with the best intentions, challenges can arise. Families may disagree about what you would have wanted. Doctors may hesitate to follow unclear instructions. Others may challenge whether the directive is valid.

Protect Your Wishes & Ease the Burden on Loved Ones

Taking the step to create or update a healthcare directive is an act of care for both yourself and your family. With proper legal guidance, you can make everything much simpler. Your wishes should be respected, and your loved ones should not be left with difficult decisions in times of crisis, so let’s talk about your healthcare directive today.

Call the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C. today at (254) 938-6885 and ask for a consultation about making a healthcare directive.