Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare

As promised earlier this month, we are continuing to discuss the importance of estate planning documents. An estate plan is not just for wealthy people or “everyone else” because you won’t ever need one. Today we will explain the Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare, which is FREE to everyone and easily accessible.

What is a Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare? This short video helps explain what it is and how you can execute one.

The Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare replaces the old living will and power of attorney for healthcare.

It was adopted by the Georgia legislature and put in place by the Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services on July 1, 2007. It requires only you and two witnesses to complete, and the form is provided free by the state of Georgia.

The Georgia Advance Directive for Healthcare has 4 parts

The Georgia Advance Directive allows you to do four important things: 1) Appoint a Healthcare Agent; 2) Express Your Treatment Preferences; 3) Share Your Final Arrangements; and 4) Name a Preferred Guardian. These are important tasks of advance care planning that every adult should complete. Even if you have an old power of attorney for healthcare and an old living will, we encourage everyone to complete and execute a new advance directive. It is so easy to complete a new advance directive and costs close to nothing besides paper and time.

Most people have preferences about being put on a ventilator, having a feeding tube, and receiving pain medication and other comfort measures. They also have strong feelings regarding burial or cremation. These and many other wishes can be shared in your Advance Directive.

It’s Free!

Since this document is a part of the Georgia Code, it is accessible and free for everyone over the age of 18 to use. The form can be obtained from most healthcare facilities or hospitals. You can also easily download it here.

As part of the complete estate planning process, we ensure that each of our clients complete a new Advance Directive that accurately reflects their wishes. To find out more or to get started with creating your complete estate plan, contact Hurley Elder Care Law today by calling our office at (404) 843-0121.