In California, an Advanced Healthcare Directive is a document that specifies the kind of healthcare treatment desired if one were to become incapacitated and unable to make these decisions for his or herself. One of the questions that would be addressed is whether the person would want to be kept alive by life support. In this document, a person or persons would be nominated to carry out the wishes of the incapacitated person.

This type of document got nationwide attention in 2005 due to the court battle over Terri Shiavo who was in a persistent vegetative state and did not have a healthcare directive. Her husband wanted to disconnect her feeding tube, while her parents refused to allow it. In a seven year court battle, the case was heard in the Federal District Court, Supreme Court of Florida as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. Ultimately Terri Shiavo’s husband was successful and the courts determined that the feeding tube should be removed which ended her life. The media attention surrounding this issue highlights the importance of having an Advanced Healthcare Directive in place so that there would not be any question as to the wishes of an incapacitated person.

Having an Advanced Healthcare Directive prepared by Legal Action Workshop is simple, easy and low cost. Now any California resident can feel assured that their healthcare issues will be handled as per their wishes if he or she becomes incapacitated.