Don't Leave Life-or-Death Decisions to Chance

When you think of estate planning, you likely picture wills, trusts, and inheritance, but what about the heart-wrenching medical decisions your loved ones could face when you can’t speak for yourself? A recent federal investigation uncovered at least 73 instances where patients showed signs of consciousness just as hospitals were preparing to harvest their organs, because their families didn’t have clear guidance about their wishes.

Why a Legacy Planning Session Matters

Without a solid plan, families are left making urgent decisions based on guesswork, emotional stress, or worst of all—legal defaults. In those critical moments, hospitals rely on state laws and internal procedures, not your values. A Legacy Planning Session ensures your voice is clear, even when you can’t speak.

The Risks of Being Unprepared

Imagine your spouse or child, overwhelmed and unsure, trying to decide whether to continue life support or authorize organ donation. What if they're not on the same page? What if the person whose name appears in state records doesn’t really know your values? And what if your paperwork is hidden in a drawer?

This confusion opens the door to rushed decisions, long-term family conflict, or even tragic mistakes like the one suffered by Anthony Hoover II—who painfully regained consciousness moments before organs were to be removed. That outcome could happen to anyone who lacks clarity and planning.

Core Documents in a Legacy Planning Session

Your Legacy Planning Session centers on creating key documents that work together to ensure your medical and personal wishes are honored.

• Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive): This document clearly states your preferences on life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition—so doctors and loved ones know exactly what you’d want.

  
  

• Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (Healthcare Proxy): You appoint a trusted person who has legal authority to act on your behalf, ensuring someone who understands you can speak for you.

  
  

• HIPAA Authorization: This form lets your healthcare proxy and loved ones access your medical information—removing barriers due to privacy laws.

  
  

• Organ Donation Instructions: More than a checkbox on your driver’s license, this document specifies when and under what circumstances you consent to donate, preventing any chance of ambiguity.

  
  

Why Documents Aren’t Enough

Having all the right documents is a great start—but they’re only effective if current, accessible, and understood by your family. Life changes with health issues, new relationships, or even a change of address. A document set in stone could become outdated and irrelevant. Even the best documents can’t substitute the power of a conversation.

That’s why your Legacy Planning Session includes guided discussions—not just form signing. You’ll explore not just what you want, but why, providing a foundation your family can lean on when emotions run high.

Q&A Section: What You’re Probably Wondering

Q: Does checking "Organ Donor" on my license protect me enough?

A: Not at all. Without detailed guidance, organs can be removed prematurely or under circumstances you wouldn’t choose.

Q: Do I really need both a Living Will and a Healthcare Proxy?

A: Absolutely. One expresses what you want; the other names who will enforce those wishes.

Q: How often should I update my plan?

A: At least every few years—or any time there’s a major life change, like a move or family update.

Q: Can my proxy see my medical records without extra forms?

A: No—unless you complete a HIPAA Authorization, your proxy may be blocked from critical information.

Human‑Centered Support in a Crisis

When you schedule a Legacy Planning Session with me, you get more than just paperwork. You get a lifelong advocate—a trusted advisor who knows you, your values, and your intentions. In an emergency, your family won’t rely on hospital forms or state law—they’ll have someone who can interpret your wishes and stand beside them, offering clarity and emotional support when it matters most.

Next Steps: How to Get Started

Book your 15-minute discovery call today and begin:

1. Defining your medical and end-of-life preferences.

2. Selecting trusted individuals who can act for you.

3. Creating HIPAA, Living Will, Healthcare Proxy, and Organ Donation documents.

4. Starting meaningful conversations that give your family peace of mind.

   
   

And remember, these plans aren’t set-it-and-forget-it. Your Legacy Planning Session includes regular reviews so that your plan continues to reflect your life, your loved ones, and your evolving wishes.

Final Thoughts

Without a thoughtful Legacy Planning Session, your family could face agonizing, unclear decisions—potentially about organ donation or end-of-life care—at the worst possible moment. Don’t leave them guessing. You deserve the peace of a plan that’s current, practiced, and known. Schedule your session today and ensure your voice lives on—no matter what.

Book a free 15-minute discovery call to explore how a Legacy Planning Session protects your whole family