Advance Healthcare Directive

Put your medical wishes in writing and choose who speaks for you—so your family isn’t left guessing

An Advance Health Care Directive (sometimes called a living will and medical power of attorney) tells doctors what care you want—and names the person you trust to make decisions if you can’t. It gives you control and gives your family peace of mind

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Without an Advance Healthcare Directive

When a health crisis hits, the last thing your family needs is confusion or conflict especially when it comes to life-sustaining treatment.

People tell us they feel “overwhelmed,” afraid of “nightmares,” and worried about “leaving a mess.” Without an advance directive, loved ones may argue, doctors may hesitate, and you may get care you never wanted. Picture your daughter scrambling in a waiting room, trying to guess your wishes. We don’t want that for you—or for them.

Family fights when no one knows your wishes
Delays in treatment while doctors seek consent
Court involvement to appoint a decision-maker
Care you didn’t want—or missed care you did
Loved ones left with guilt and second-guessing

Gary DeWitt – Probate Almost Cost Us The Family Farm

When my father passed away, my family went through probate more than once. It was expensive, exhausting, and nearly forced us to sell the family farm.

That experience led me to build this firm so other families could avoid the same burden.

Today, we help Northwest Arkansas families create clear plans that protect what matters most.

Click Here to Read the Rest of Gary’s Story

Your Decisions, Your Treatement Preferences Done Right

Your Advance Health Care Directive makes hard moments simpler. It protects your voice, even when you can’t speak, and protects your people from having to guess. It lays out your treatment preference.

We guide you step-by-step, in plain English, so you feel calm and in control.

Your wishes honored — Feel confident your values lead care decisions (benefit) through a clear living will with specific treatment choices (feature).
Your person, officially chosen — Reduce stress by naming a trusted health care agent (benefit) via a medical power of attorney (feature).
Less family stress — Prevent “who decides?” conflict (benefit) with backup agents and decision rules (feature).
Faster care in crises — Help hospitals act quickly (benefit) with signed, shareable documents (feature).
Privacy protected — Ensure your agent can talk to doctors (benefit) with a HIPAA release (feature).
Easy updates — Keep pace with life changes (benefit) through simple amendments (feature).

How It Works

Meet & Talk
We listen to your goals and walk you through the choices in plain English.
Draft & Review
We prepare your Advance Healthcare Directive, Healthcare Power of Attorney, and HIPAA release; you review and approve.
Sign & Share
We guide you through proper signing and help you share copies with family and providers. Ongoing answers after signing.

Quick Facts & Highlights

This is about your control. An advance directive lets you choose your health care agent and say what treatments you do—or do not—want. That’s real peace of mind. By naming a healthcare agent it keeps your family out of the crossfire.

Advance directives work before and after diagnoses. You don’t need a serious illness to plan. If you have one, your directive becomes the playbook your care team follows.

It lives where you live. Signed originals stay safe; copies go to your agent, doctor, and hospital. We include a simple share list so the right people have what they need.

It’s easy to change. New grandbaby? New doctor? New beliefs? Update your directive anytime. You’re not locking yourself into today’s choices forever.

More Resources

Probate Avoidance

Estate Planning for Minor Children

Special Needs Planning

Guardianship

American Bar

AARP

Advance Directives: Protect Your Medical Wishes & Health Care

Living Will, End-of-Life Wishes, and Comfort Care

An Advance Health Care Directive usually starts with a living will. This is where you set your end-of-life care choices in plain language: life support, resuscitation preferences, artificial nutrition and hydration, pain control, palliative care, and hospice. Think of it as your north star for medical decisions. You can say “comfort-first care,” ask for a trial period on machines, or refuse treatments that don’t fit your values. Clear words reduce conflict, guide doctors, and keep you in charge when illness, surgery, dementia, or injury makes speaking up hard.

Medical Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy

The second piece is your medical power of attorney (also called a health care proxy). Here you choose your surrogate decision-maker—the person who talks with doctors, weighs options, and decides if you can’t. Your agent should be calm under pressure, reachable, and ready to follow your wishes. Name a backup. We include a HIPAA release so your agent can access records and speak freely with your care team. The living will is your map; your agent is your driver. Together, they keep you on the road you chose.

DNR, Capacity, and Sharing the Plan

A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) is a medical order about CPR; it’s not the same as an advance directive. Your directive is broader: it covers values, goals of care, and who decides. It only activates if you lose capacity. While you can make your own choices, you remain in charge. To make your plan work in real life, it must be easy to find. We set up a share plan: give copies to your agent, your primary doctor, and your hospital; keep a wallet card; store a digital copy your family can access. Five minutes of sharing now can save hours of doubt later. This blend of clarity, authority, and access makes your directive practical, compassionate, and strong for the moments that matter most.

Questions and Answers

What is an Advance Health Care Directive?

It’s the set of documents that guides your medical care if you can’t speak. It usually includes a living will (your treatment wishes), a medical power of attorney/health care proxy (who decides), and a HIPAA release (so your agent can talk to doctors)

When does it take effect?

Your agent steps in only if you are unable to decide or communicate. While you can speak for yourself, you stay in charge. Your living will still guides teams on your big-picture preferences.

Who should I name as my health care agent?

Choose someone who knows you well, can stay calm, and will follow your wishes—even if others disagree. Consider distance and availability. Name a backup to reduce stress if your first choice is unavailable

Can I change my directive later?

Yes. You can update or replace it anytime. When you do, give new copies to your agent, doctor, and hospital, and destroy old versions so there’s no confusion.

How is this different from a DNR?

A DNR is a medical order about CPR. An advance directive is broader: it names your agent, outlines goals of care, and covers many treatments—not just resuscitation. It’s how you keep control and avoid leaving a mess for your family

Ready to remove the guesswork so your family can focus on you—not paperwork?