The Conversation Your Family Needs to Have About the End of Life Option Act

The Conversation Your Family Needs to Have About the End of Life Option Act

In June of 2016, a new law went into effect in the state of California. This law, signed by the governor in the fall of 2015, involves medical aid in the death of terminally ill individuals in the state. Thus, California joined its neighbor to the north, Oregon, in assisting dying patients in ending their sufferering through medical means. Awareness of this new law means that many California families should be having a frank discussion before the end of life scenarios arise.

Whether or Not to Amend an Existing Health Care Directive

If you have an existing health care directive that outlines who will execute end of life decisions for you should you become incapacitated, as well as outlining what those decisions are, you may need to have a frank discussion with your power of attorney about your choices. If you want to amend your directive to take advantage of the End of Life Option Act should you become terminally ill, you need to communicate with your designated decision-maker to ensure that he or she is comfortable carrying out your wishes. Assisted death is a very touchy subject for some, as is indicated by a letter that the American College of Physicians sent to the California governor urging him to veto what they called “the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.”

Getting Help with Estate Planning

Drafting a healthcare directive is an important part of estate planning. The compassionate lawyers at Petrov Law Firm can help you to be certain that your wishes are carried out in the event you become incapacitated and can no longer make decisions for yourself. To learn more about how to execute such a directive, please call 619-344-0360.

Summary

Article Name

The Conversation Your Family Needs to Have About the End of Life Option Act

Description

In June of 2016, a new law went into effect in the state of California. This law, signed by the governor in the fall of 2015, involves medical aid in the death of terminally ill individuals in the state. Awareness of this new law means that many California families should be having a frank discussion before the end of life scenarios arise.

Author

Petrov Law