What Is an Advance Medical Directive in Virginia?

An advance medical directive in Virginia allows you to state your medical wishes and name someone you trust to make health care decisions if you cannot speak for yourself. It can include living will instructions, medical power of attorney authority, or both.

These documents are an important part of incapacity planning because they help your family and health care providers understand who should make decisions and what kind of care you would or would not want.

For a broader look at how these documents fit into incapacity planning, see our page on powers of attorney and living wills in Virginia.

At Hammelman Law, count on our skilled attorneys to help guide you correctly. We will

put your decisions on these matters into an advance directive, a legal document that

goes into effect only if you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself. This could

be the result of disease or severe injury—no matter how old you are. It helps others

know what type of medical care you want and allows you to express your values and

desires related to end-of-life care. You might think of it as a living document—one that

you can adjust as your situation changes because of new information or a change in

your health.

Start by thinking about what kind of treatment you do or do not want in a medical

emergency. In considering treatment decisions, your personal values are key. If you

decide to choose a proxy (someone to represent you), think about people you know

who share your views and values about life and medical decisions. Your proxy might be

a family member, a friend, your lawyer, or someone in your social or spiritual

community.

Once you have talked with your doctor and have an idea of the types of decisions that

could come up in the future and whom you would like as a proxy, if you want one at all,

the next step is to fill out the legal forms detailing your wishes.

Your trusted legal partner

Hammelman Law helps clients in Ashburn, Loudoun County, and Northern Virginia prepare advance medical directives, powers of attorney, wills, and trusts as part of a complete Virginia estate plan..