Advance Directives

Northern Virginia Advance Medical Directive Law Firm

Medical autonomy is a fundamental legal right, and Virginia law upholds that right even for individuals who cannot express their wishes due to illness or incapacity. If you want to ensure your healthcare decisions are honored no matter the circumstances, our Northern Virginia advance directive lawyers at the Manassas Law Group are here to help.

We understand how personal and sensitive medical planning can be. That’s why we approach every advance directive with care, compassion, and attention to detail. Our lawyers in Manassas, VA are dedicated to protecting your interests and helping you clearly outline your healthcare preferences. To speak with a member of our team, call 703-361-8246 or click here to schedule a consultation.

What is an Advance Directive in Virginia?

Communicating your medical needs is essential, but certain circumstances can make that impossible. If you’re in a coma, a persistent vegetative state, or otherwise unable to speak for yourself, your family and healthcare providers may be left guessing. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead.

Statute § 54.1-2983 under Virginia law allows any adult capable of making an informed decision to create a written advance medical directive, also known as an advance healthcare directive or simply an advance directive. An advance directive allows you to make critical decisions in advance about your medical treatment. You can provide specific instructions on pain relief, surgical procedures, the use of a feeding tube, and other life-sustaining measures. It also lets you name preferred healthcare providers and indicate whether you want to make anatomical gifts.

By documenting your wishes early, you help ensure your best interests are respected, even when you’re unable to express them yourself.

Advance Directive vs. Living Trusts

Advance directives and living trusts serve different but equally important purposes in your estate plan. Advance directives focus on your healthcare wishes, allowing you to outline medical preferences and appoint someone to make decisions if you become unable to do so. These documents guide medical providers and ease the burden on family members during emotionally challenging times.

On the other hand, living trusts in Virginia deal with managing and distributing your financial assets, both during your lifetime and after death. Together, they provide comprehensive protection for your health and your estate.

Types of Advance Directives in Virginia

The healthcare preferences you wish to specify will determine which type of advance medical directive you need to create. If you’re uncertain about which type of advance medical directive will best suit your needs, call Manassas Law Group to consult with one of our experienced lawyers.

Living Will

A Living Will is a legally binding document that outlines your preferences regarding life-sustaining measures if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition and can no longer communicate your wishes. This directive gives clear instructions to medical professionals about the types of end-of-life care you do or do not want, such as mechanical ventilation, use of a feeding tube, palliative care, and pain management. By creating a living will, you help relieve your loved ones from the burden of making difficult medical decisions during an already emotional time.

At the Manassas Law Group, our Virginia estate planning attorneys take the time to help you define your healthcare wishes with clarity. We ensure your document aligns with Virginia law and supports the level of intervention you’re comfortable with. Whether you want to avoid prolonged suffering or prioritize comfort-focused care, a well-drafted living will is an essential component of a comprehensive estate plan.

Durable Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy)

A Durable Medical Power of Attorney, also known as a healthcare proxy, allows you to appoint a trusted agent (usually a trusted family member or close friend) to make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. A Virginia durable power of attorney is especially important when your medical situation is not explicitly addressed in your living will. Your chosen healthcare agent will work directly with medical professionals to make choices that reflect your values and preferences.

The attorneys at Manassas Law Group will guide you through the process of selecting a responsible healthcare agent and clearly defining their decision-making authority. This directive not only covers medical treatment, but also coordination of care, placement in medical facilities, and communication with your care team. If you also want this person to make financial decisions for you, we can help you draft additional documents to assign that authority properly.

Combined Advance Medical Directive

A Combined Advance Medical Directive is a comprehensive legal document that includes both a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. This type of directive is ideal for individuals who want to clearly state their end-of-life care preferences while also naming a healthcare agent to make other medical decisions as needed. It ensures that both your treatment choices and the person responsible for making decisions on your behalf are legally recognized and enforceable under Virginia law.

Our Prince William County estate planning attorneys regularly prepare Combined Advance Medical Directives for clients who want full coverage in the event of a serious illness or terminal condition. We’ll help you specify your stance on life-sustaining measures, such as use of a feeding tube, mechanical ventilation, or palliative care, while also empowering a trusted agent to handle unexpected situations. With this directive, you maintain control over your care and reduce the likelihood of confusion or conflict among loved ones during difficult times.

Benefits of Creating an Advance Directive

• Provides Clear Guidance: An advance directive gives medical providers and family members precise instructions about your wishes, reducing uncertainty during these critical moments.
• Protects Your Healthcare Decisions: By documenting your preferences through healthcare directives, you stay in control of important medical choices, even when you’re unable to speak for yourself.
• Reduces Stress for Family Members: Loved ones won’t have to guess or argue about what you would want, avoiding potential conflict.
• Supports End of Life Planning: You can outline specific preferences for end-of-life care, including pain management, life-sustaining treatment, and palliative care options.
• Ensures a Trusted Decision-Maker is Appointed: You can name a trusted person who understands your values to make decisions on your behalf.
• Provides Peace of Mind: Knowing your wishes are documented and legally recognized can provide peace for both you and your loved ones.

How Manassas Law Group Can Help Virginia Residents With Advance Healthcare Directives

At Manassas Law Group, we’re proud to provide locals with comprehensive estate planning services in Fauquier County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the surrounding Northern Virginia areas. This includes helping Virginia residents take control of their future medical care through well-prepared advance healthcare directives by drafting clear, legally sound documents that reflect each individual’s values and healthcare preferences.

Our team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your legal documents align with your broader estate planning goals and giving you peace of mind that your decisions regarding your future medical care will be respected when it matters most.

FAQs About Virginia Advance Directives

Healthcare directives can be complex and confusing. If you have questions, our Northern Virginia advance directive lawyers at Manassas Law Group are here to help.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Across Northern Virginia

It is impossible to predict the future, but thorough planning can help you and your family be prepared for whatever comes. In addition to helping your family be prepared for critical medical situations through the creation of advance medical directives, the Manassas Law Group also helps clients with comprehensive estate planning services designed to protect your family from the probate process and ensure your wishes are honored. Our attorneys assist with drafting last wills and testaments, creating revocable and irrevocable trusts, establishing durable power of attorney forms, and providing the essential tools needed to manage your assets, healthcare decisions, and legacy.

A Virginia probate lawyer on our team can also help families navigate probate proceedings and ensure their loved one’s estate, whether testate or intestate, is distributed accordingly. Whether you’re starting from scratch, updating an existing plan, or dealing with the challenges of the probate process, MLG delivers strategic, compassionate legal support to help you build a secure future for your family.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Advance Medical Directive Lawyers Today

Planning ahead gives you and your loved ones peace of mind during life’s most difficult moments. Whether you need help creating an advance directive or building a full estate plan, the attorneys at Manassas Law Group are here to guide you. Call 703-361-8246 or use our online contact form to reach out to a member of our team today.