by Rick Kahler

Wills and Health Care Advanced Directives. You may or may not need these two documents, but here’s what you need to know about them.

As inevitable as death is, given the way we avoid planning for it, we seem to believe we will evade it if we don’t talk about it. Two-thirds of Americans don’t have a will or a health care advanced directive.

Financial planners like me often preach that everyone must have both. However, there are exceptions to most rules, as well as times that the best preparation in the world goes awry.

Do You Need a Will?

Here are some scenarios where you may not need a will. The first is when you have no minor children and you don’t own anything of value or that you want to bequeath to someone. Second, you do have assets, but all of them are transferable without a will. These include retirement accounts, annuities, assets like homes or bank accounts that are owned jointly, and assets like brokerage accounts or real estate that will Transfer on Death (TOD) to a named beneficiary.

Related: What You Need To Know About Writing a Will That Will Protect Your Heirs

What about a health care advanced directive (HCAD)? This is any document that gives instructions or appoints someone to give direction about your health care. Living wills and Health Care Durable Powers of Attorney are two of the most popular HCADs.

Health Care Advanced Directive

Many people think you must use a state-provided form for a HCAD to be effective. According to the Commission of Law & Aging, most states do not require a form but do require your HCAD to be properly signed and witnessed. It’s best to have your directive drawn by an attorney, as most forms are too general or include generic options that may not apply to your needs or wishes.

Another myth is the notion that HCADs are legally binding on health care providers and their institutions. They are not. An advanced directive just gives healthcare providers immunity if they follow your instructions. The healthcare providers can refuse to comply with your directive. This is especially true in an emergency situation where the attending EMS must attempt to resuscitate you and get you to a hospital. In some states, if you and your doctor have signed a special form and you wear a special identification bracelet, the attending EMS may choose not to resuscitate you.

Also, just giving your directive to your doctor is no guarantee that the directive will show up in your medical records. You, or your proxy, must check with each institution you visit or are transferred to and be sure it’s on file.

Some people fear that naming a health care agent means that you give up your right to make health care decisions. That is not true. A person retains the right to make all their own healthcare decisions unless they become incompetent.

Many people don’t do directives because they think they must understand all the choices and be crystal clear about their wishes. This is not necessarily the case. If nothing else, a directive appoints a person you trust to make decisions. And as with any legal document, you may always change your directive when you wish.

If all your relatives who can legally make healthcare decisions for you agree, you may not need an HCAD to stop treatment near the end of life. Still, a living will can make the decision less difficult. It becomes very important in the event your closest relatives disagree on what is best for you.

Like any good estate planning, the best strategy for both wills and HCADs is to focus on what you would like to happen today, rather than anticipating events and circumstances into the future. Then, as well as communicating your wishes verbally, put your thoughts in writing and provide copies to your doctors and loved ones.

Related Articles

• Legal Documents You Need in Your 50s
• What Is a Power of Attorney and Do You Need One?
• Trust Basics for Retirees
• End-of-Life Planning Everyone Needs To Do
• Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Reviewed September 2023

About the Author

Rick Kahler, MSFP, ChFC, CFP, is a fee-only financial planner and author. Find more information at KahlerFinancial.com. Contact him at Rick@KahlerFinancial.com.