An Advanced Directive and Living Will allows you to outline your medical preferences and designate someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to communicate. At Riseling & Rhodes, P.C., we help clients across Oklahoma prepare these important documents with clarity and care, ensuring your beliefs and values guide your treatment during unexpected medical situations.
Advanced Directives & Living Wills
Honor Your Healthcare Wishes With Clarity and Compassion
Why Advanced Healthcare Planning Matters
Many people create an advanced directive because they want to provide clarity during moments when families often feel overwhelmed. A well-prepared directive ensures your preferences are known, prevents uncertainty, and allows loved ones to act confidently on your behalf.
Our role is to help you express your wishes clearly and legally so your healthcare decisions remain in trusted hands.
What Is an Advanced Directive?
An Advanced Directive for Health Care is a written document outlining your medical treatment preferences and authorizing someone you trust to make healthcare decisions for you if needed. In Oklahoma, an advanced directive may include:
Appointment of a healthcare proxy or agent (within the directive document)
Instructions regarding medical interventions or life-sustaining treatments
Preferences for comfort-focused, palliative, or hospice care
Guidance for physicians when you cannot communicate your wishes
By documenting your choices in advance, you relieve your family of guessing during stressful moments and help ensure your care aligns with your values.
What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
A Medical Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to appoint individuals you trust to make health-care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. The agent works with your doctors to make choices based on your wishes and circumstances. In practice, a Medical Power of Attorney and an Advance Directive serve very similar purposes.
However, it is important to have both to meet legal requirements. At Riseling & Rhodes, we combine the two into a single document for simplicity and ease of use.
Living Wills and Healthcare Decision-Making Authority
Although “living will” and “advanced directive” are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve slightly different purposes:
Living Will – Communicates your treatment preferences if you are unable to eat and drink by mouth and two doctors have determined that you will pass away within the next six months. This is often referred to as the “plug or unplug” document.
Healthcare Decision-Making Authority – Allows you to name someone you trust to make medical decisions if you are unable to.
Advanced Directive – Often combines both components into one coordinated document.
We help you select the most appropriate structure and ensure your documents meet all requirements in Oklahoma.
Benefits of an Advanced Directive and Living Will
Planning ahead offers meaningful benefits for you and your family:
Maintains your autonomy by ensuring your wishes guide your care
Reduces stress and uncertainty for loved ones
Provides physicians with clear, legally recognized instructions
Ensures decisions reflect your values and beliefs
Coordinates seamlessly with your broader estate plan
For many clients, creating an advanced directive is one of the most thoughtful steps they take for those who love them.
Our Planning Process
Preparing an advanced directive involves thoughtful conversations and careful drafting. Our process includes:
1.
Consultation and Discussion
We listen to your concerns, your values, and the types of care you prefer in various medical situations.
2.
Drafting Your Directive
Your attorney prepares a tailored document that meets all legal requirements and clearly reflects your wishes.
3.
Execution and Witnessing
We guide you through proper signing and witnessing to ensure your directive is fully valid in your state.
Our approach is calm, compassionate, and designed to help you feel confident in your choices.
Key Services Included
When you create your advanced directive with Riseling & Rhodes, P.C., you receive:
PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION REGARDING MEDICAL PREFERENCES
CUSTOM-DRAFTED ADVANCED DIRECTIVE OR LIVING WILL
GUIDANCE ON APPOINTING A TRUSTED HEALTHCARE DECISION-MAKER
ASSISTANCE WITH PROPER EXECUTION AND WITNESSING
UPDATES AS YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES EVOLVE
Each document is prepared with care and attention to your unique needs.
How This Fits Into Your Complete Estate Plan
A comprehensive estate plan protects more than your assets; it protects your wellbeing during life. Your advanced directive works alongside:
A statutory power of attorney for financial decisions
Other planning documents that provide clarity during incapacity
When combined, these documents ensure your legal, financial, and medical wishes operate together as one coordinated plan.
When to Create or Update an Advanced Directive
You may benefit from preparing or reviewing your directive when:
You are updating your estate plan
You have experienced changes in health
You marry, divorce, remarry, or relocate
Your preferences regarding medical care evolve
A previously named decision-maker is no longer available
A review every few years ensures your directive always reflects your current wishes.
Who This Is For
An advanced directive or living will is especially helpful for:
Anyone wanting clarity about medical care preferences
Individuals with chronic health conditions
Couples wishing to avoid uncertainty during emergencies
Adults preparing or updating an estate plan
Families wanting to provide clear guidance for loved ones
Individuals with non-spouse partners
Why Choose Riseling & Rhodes, P.C.
Families throughout Oklahoma have trusted our firm since 1985 for thoughtful estate planning guidance. When you work with us, you receive:
Decades of focused estate planning experience
Personal attention from a boutique law firm
Clear explanations in plain, reassuring language
Carefully drafted documents that comply with state law
Long-term support as your needs change
We take pride in helping clients prepare for life’s uncertainties with confidence and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Advanced Directives
Make Your Healthcare Wishes Known With Clarity.
An advanced directive or living will provides thoughtful guidance for your loved ones and ensures your preferences remain at the center of your care. We are here to help you prepare with confidence and peace of mind.