Advance Directive Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Are You Prepared for Life’s Unexpected Health Decisions?

Your medical wishes deserve to be honored, even if you cannot speak for yourself. In Florida, a clear, legally valid advance directive gives your loved ones and medical team the guidance they need in real time. At Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., we help Fort Lauderdale individuals and families put comprehensive documents in place so that health care decisions align with your values.

Whether you need a living will, a designation of health care surrogate, HIPAA releases, or help aligning documents with existing estate plans, our team provides practical, plain-English guidance. We tailor every directive to Florida law and your specific preferences, then coordinate details with your physicians and trusted contacts to ensure your plan is understood and ready when it matters.

Schedule a confidential consultation about your living will and health care surrogate today.

What an Advance Directive Covers in Florida

Florida recognizes several documents that work together to protect your health care choices. Each serves a different purpose and is most effective when coordinated in a single, consistent plan.

Living Will

A living will states your preferences for end-of-life treatment if you are unable to communicate. Typical topics include life-prolonging procedures, artificial nutrition and hydration, ventilator use, and pain management. We help you define when treatments should be initiated, limited, or withheld, using clear language that physicians can follow and loved ones can trust.

Designation of Health Care Surrogate

This document appoints a trusted adult to make medical decisions when you cannot. Your surrogate can access records, speak with physicians, and consent to or refuse treatment consistent with your stated wishes. We guide you in choosing a primary surrogate and alternates, addressing practical issues such as availability, proximity to Fort Lauderdale hospitals, and communication style.

HIPAA Authorization and Medical Record Access

Even a well-chosen surrogate needs timely access to information. A HIPAA release authorizes providers to share your medical records and updates with your surrogate and other named individuals. We ensure authorizations are broad enough to avoid delays while still respecting your privacy preferences.

Do Not Resuscitate and Related Orders

A Do Not Resuscitate order is a medical order executed on a specific state form and signed by your physician. It is different from a living will and must be coordinated carefully so that paramedics and hospital staff act according to your current directives. We explain when DNR orders make sense, how they interact with your other documents, and the steps to keep them recognized across care settings.

Mental Health and Special Instructions

Some clients want to address mental health treatment preferences, including consent for specific medications or facilities. We draft tailored instructions that align with Florida requirements while giving your surrogate practical direction for urgent situations.

Why Fort Lauderdale Residents Benefit From Localized Planning

Medical decisions often happen quickly and close to home. Local hospitals, outpatient facilities, and EMS personnel follow Florida-specific rules and forms. By preparing your documents with a Fort Lauderdale advance directive attorney, you reduce the chance of confusion and help ensure your wishes are honored in Broward County settings.

We also consider local factors such as snowbird residency, out-of-state adult children, and frequent travel. If you split time between Florida and another state, we can prepare Florida-compliant directives and coordinate with counsel in other jurisdictions so your plan is respected wherever you receive care.

How We Tailor Your Advance Directive

Our process is thorough yet efficient. We take time to understand your values, family dynamics, and medical preferences, then translate them into clear instructions.

Step 1: Goals and Values Discussion

We start with a practical conversation about what matters most to you. Comfort, independence, risk tolerance, and spiritual concerns often shape how you want decisions made in serious or end-of-life scenarios.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Decision Maker

Selecting a health care surrogate is as important as drafting the documents. We help you evaluate candidates, confirm their willingness to serve, and identify alternates. We also discuss how to communicate your wishes so your surrogate can advocate effectively.

Step 3: Drafting, Review, and Execution

We prepare a living will, designation of health care surrogate, HIPAA authorization, and any special instructions. You review draft language in plain English before signing. We coordinate execution formalities and provide guidance on storing originals and delivering copies to your surrogate and physicians.

Step 4: Integration With Your Estate Plan

Advance directives do not operate in a vacuum. We align your health care documents with your durable power of attorney, pre-need guardianship designations, and any trust or will to avoid conflicts and close gaps.

When To Create or Update Your Documents

Life changes are the best cues to review your advance directive. Consider an update when you move to Florida or within Fort Lauderdale, experience a new diagnosis, marry, divorce, welcome a child or grandchild, or when your chosen surrogate’s circumstances change. A quick annual review, even without major life events, keeps your plan current and gives your loved ones confidence.

What Sets Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A. Apart

Our practice focuses on probate, trusts, and related planning throughout South Florida. That means your advance directive is drafted with an eye toward how real families and medical providers will use it during urgent moments, and how it will align with the rest of your estate plan.

We emphasize communication. We provide clear guidance for you and your surrogate, plus concise summary sheets that help family members and physicians access the essentials quickly. Many clients find it reassuring to see how consistently our firm delivers attentive service. Read our client reviews to hear how we support families through planning and difficult medical decisions.

Advance Directives, Probate, and Guardianship

Health care decisions today can affect legal issues tomorrow. Clear directives can reduce the need for a court-appointed guardian by empowering your surrogate to act within defined limits. If incapacity becomes long-term, a well-coordinated estate plan and durable powers of attorney can minimize court interventions and protect assets for your spouse or children. Our team can counsel you on options to safeguard both your personal wishes and your estate.

Coordinating With Your Medical Providers

Paperwork alone is not enough. We help you deliver your documents to your primary care physician, specialists, and local hospitals. We also show you how to keep digital access handy on your phone and provide wallet cards or summaries so first responders can quickly reach your surrogate. If you spend seasons outside Florida, we discuss steps to help your plan function smoothly in other states and how to communicate with non-Florida providers.

Common Choices Clients Consider

Many clients arrive with questions about feeding tubes, ventilators, pain management, and when treatments become burdensome. We discuss how these choices apply to specific conditions, including advanced dementia, stroke, and terminal illness, without medical jargon. We then translate your preferences into directive language that is both compassionate and practical for your care team.

Cost, Timing, and What To Expect

Most advance directive packages can be prepared promptly once we understand your goals and identify your surrogate. We provide clear pricing and options to include other planning documents if desired. After execution, you receive signed originals and electronic copies, plus instructions for sharing and storing them. Future updates are straightforward, and we remain available to answer questions as laws and circumstances evolve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a living will and a health care surrogate?

A living will sets out your treatment preferences if you are unable to communicate. A health care surrogate is the person you appoint to make decisions consistent with those preferences. Both should be coordinated so your surrogate can act confidently.

Who should I choose as my health care surrogate?

Pick someone you trust who understands your values, can handle medical conversations under stress, and will be available when needed. Consider naming alternates and discuss your wishes with them in advance.

Do I need a lawyer to create an advance directive in Florida?

Florida provides forms, but a lawyer ensures your documents reflect your exact wishes, avoid conflicts with other planning, and meet execution requirements. Legal guidance also helps prevent delays when providers need quick decisions.

Will my Florida advance directive work if I am out of state?

Other states often honor properly executed directives, but formats and rules vary. If you frequently travel or maintain another residence, we can help coordinate with out-of-state counsel to increase recognition.

How do I make my wishes known to my doctors and family?

Provide copies to your surrogate, primary care physician, and any relevant specialists. Carry a wallet card or summary, store digital copies securely, and discuss your choices openly with family members so they understand your preferences.

Can I change my mind after signing?

Yes. You can revoke or modify your advance directive at any time while you have capacity. We can update documents quickly and help you notify your surrogate and providers so they use the most current version.

Protect Your Health Choices In Fort Lauderdale With Confidence

Serious medical decisions should never be left to chance. A clear, Florida-compliant advance directive crafted around your values gives loved ones the direction they need and reduces conflict during stressful moments. If you live in Fort Lauderdale or nearby communities, we can help you put a plan in place.

Request your personalized advance directive planning session.