Plan for the Unexpected with a Manchester Advance Directives Lawyer
Your estate plan must protect more than just your assets. It must protect you. Without a clear medical roadmap, your family may face agonizing disputes or be forced into a public, costly court-supervised guardianship.
At Craighead & Martin, PLLC, attorney Joanne Craighead brings nearly 40 years of legal experience to your side. We help you empower the right people and eliminate the uncertainty that leads to family conflict.
What Are New Hampshire Advance Directives?
Advance directives are legal documents created while you have the capacity to make your own decisions. They serve as your voice during a medical emergency, cognitive decline or any situation where you cannot communicate. In New Hampshire, these documents are governed by specific statutes (RSA 137-J) that require precise execution to be legally binding.
Key Components of Your Medical Estate Plan
A comprehensive plan goes beyond a simple living will. To ensure your values are respected, your advance directives should include:
- Durable power of attorney for health care: This allows you to appoint a health care proxy to make decisions on your behalf when you cannot.
- Living will: This provides explicit instructions regarding end-of-life care, such as ventilators, feeding tubes and other life-sustaining treatments.
- Anatomical gifts: Guidelines for organ and tissue donation.
While a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order is a specific medical instruction to forgo CPR, an advance directive is a broader, more protective strategy for your long-term care.
Prevent Disputes and Avoid Guardianship
The greatest gift you can give your family is clarity. When your wishes are documented, your loved ones can act with confidence rather than second-guessing your intent. Most importantly, a properly drafted durable power of attorney prevents the need for an involuntary guardianship, keeping your private matters out of the court system.
Secure Your Peace of Mind Today
You cannot predict a medical emergency, but you can prepare for one. Whether you are building a new estate plan or updating an existing one, Joanne Craighead ensures your documents reflect your current wishes. Schedule a consultation online or call our Manchester office at 603-795-7308 to protect your future and your family.