Directive to Physicians

What is a Directive to Physicians?

A Directive to Physicians — sometimes called a Living Will — is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes about medical treatment if you are ever diagnosed with a terminal or irreversible condition and cannot communicate your decisions.

This document gives doctors clear instructions about whether you want life-sustaining treatments like ventilators, feeding tubes, or other artificial measures continued, withheld, or withdrawn.

Unlike a Medical Power of Attorney, which names someone to make decisions for you, a Directive to Physicians speaks for you directly — in your own words — when you cannot.

Why Having a Directive to Physicians Matters

When families are faced with serious medical decisions during an emotional time, disagreements and uncertainty can easily arise.
Without clear guidance, doctors may feel obligated to continue aggressive treatments even if it’s not what you would have wanted.

A Directive to Physicians removes the burden from your family and ensures your personal wishes are honored.

It provides clarity, relieves stress, and helps prevent family conflict during some of the most difficult moments in life.

What a Directive to Physicians Can Do

• State clearly whether you want life support measures continued or withdrawn in terminal or irreversible conditions
• Provide instructions to doctors when you cannot speak for yourself
• Ease emotional pressure on family members by making your wishes known in advance
• Help avoid unwanted or unnecessary medical interventions

What a Directive to Physicians Cannot Do

A Directive to Physicians only applies if two doctors certify that you have a terminal or irreversible condition and cannot communicate your decisions.

It does not apply to temporary conditions where recovery is expected.

It also does not appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf — that authority belongs under a Medical Power of Attorney.

For best protection, a Directive should be used alongside a Medical Power of Attorney and HIPAA Authorization.

Who Needs a Directive to Physicians?

Every adult should consider having a Directive to Physicians — especially those who:

• Have strong beliefs about end-of-life care
• Want to avoid prolonged suffering caused by artificial life support
• Wish to relieve their family from making difficult decisions without guidance
• Are facing serious health issues or major surgeries

Even if you are young and healthy, accidents can happen unexpectedly. A Directive ensures your voice is heard no matter what.

A Simple Example

Betty’s Story
Betty was in her late 70s and had made her wishes clear to her children: she did not want to be kept alive on machines if there was no hope for recovery. But when she suffered a massive stroke and became unable to communicate, her family struggled to decide what to do.
Because Betty had signed a Directive to Physicians, her doctors and family had clear written instructions to follow.
Her wishes were honored, and her children were spared from having to make heartbreaking decisions without knowing what she wanted.

How a Directive to Physicians Compares to Other Estate Planning Documents

A Directive to Physicians is just one part of a complete healthcare plan:

• Medical Power of Attorney: A Medical POA appoints someone to make healthcare decisions for you. A Directive tells doctors directly what you want done in certain situations. Learn more about Medical Powers of Attorney.
• HIPAA Authorization: A HIPAA Authorization allows your chosen agents to access your medical records, but does not guide treatment decisions. Learn more about HIPAA Authorizations.
• Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR specifically instructs not to perform CPR if your heart stops. A Directive covers broader treatment wishes beyond just resuscitation.
• Will: A Will handles your property after death and has no effect on medical decisions made while you are still living. Learn more about Wills.

Together, these documents give you full protection over both your healthcare and financial wishes, during life and after death.

Final Thoughts

A Directive to Physicians gives you a voice when you need it most — during times when you cannot speak for yourself.
It provides your doctors and family with clear guidance, removes uncertainty, and ensures that your wishes for end-of-life care are honored.
It’s a simple but powerful part of a thoughtful estate plan.