April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day—a reminder to think about something most of us tend to put off:
Who would make medical decisions for you if you couldn’t?
As a parent, this isn’t just about you. It impacts your entire family.
Incapacity can happen at any time due to illness, injury, or an unexpected medical event. And when it does, your loved ones may not automatically have the legal authority to step in and help.
Without the right documents in place, decisions about your care could be delayed, complicated, or even left up to the court.
That’s why having the proper healthcare documents is such an important part of a comprehensive estate plan.
Here are the key documents every parent should have in place:
Healthcare Proxy
This allows you to name someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to. Your healthcare agent can speak with doctors, review medical records, and make decisions about your treatment based on your wishes. Choosing the right person matters—they may need to make difficult decisions, so it should be someone who understands your values and will advocate for you.
Living Will
A living will (also called an advance directive) works alongside your healthcare proxy by clearly outlining your wishes for end-of-life care. This can include decisions about life support, resuscitation, ventilators, and other life-sustaining treatments. It gives your loved ones guidance during incredibly emotional moments so they’re not left guessing what you would have wanted.
HIPAA Authorization
This document allows your chosen people to access your medical information. Without it, even close family members may not be able to get updates from doctors or discuss your condition during a medical emergency. It ensures the right people can stay informed and involved when it matters most.
These documents work together to make sure your healthcare decisions are handled the way you want—and by the people you trust.
Without them, your family could face unnecessary stress, delays, and legal hurdles at a time when they should be focused on you.
We help our clients put these in place as part of a comprehensive estate plan—and we do these documents for all adults, not just parents. Once your children turn 18, they need these in place too.
If you have questions about your own situation or want to make sure you have the right plan in place, give our office a call at (978) 263-6900.
Because this isn’t just about documents—it’s about making things easier for your family and making sure your wishes are honored when it matters most.
