Living Wills & Advance Directives in South Jordan
Put Your Healthcare Wishes in Writing Under Utah Law
A Utah advance health care directive can document who may make healthcare decisions for you and what care you would want if you couldn’t speak for yourself. It can include treatment instructions, appoint a healthcare agent, or do both.
A living will addresses medical preferences. It isn’t a last will and testament, and it doesn’t authorize someone to manage your finances. Keeping these roles separate is essential when planning for illness, injury, or incapacity.
Call (385) 481-5276 to discuss creating or reviewing your healthcare directive.
More Than 30 Years of Estate & Elder Law Experience
A directive should clearly express your wishes, define your agent’s authority, and work with the rest of your plan. Legal guidance can also identify potential conflicts between new instructions and existing documents.
At Sandberg, Stettler, & White, we make complex legal issues understandable and tailor each plan to the client’s circumstances. Our Utah estate planning and elder law practice has more than 30 years of experience guiding individuals and families through incapacity planning and other major life transitions.
Connecting Medical Decisions With Broader Incapacity Planning
Medical decision-making may intersect with guardianship, long-term care, and public benefits. We advise clients on probate, estate administration, trust management, and guardianship, as well as Medicaid, Social Security, and Veterans Administration benefits.
Considering these issues together clarifies which documents govern medical care and which address property, benefits, or financial authority. An advance health care directive complements broader incapacity planning but doesn’t replace a financial Power of Attorney.
Why Choose Sandberg, Stettler, & White?
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Empathy & Understanding
We'll treat you with compassion - your concerns are our priority, and we're here to listen and support.
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Integrity & Experience
We uphold the highest ethical standards and bring a wealth of experience to every case.
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Client-Centered Advocacy
Your success is our success. We tailor our strategies to you and your specific needs.
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We Speak Your Language
We'll explain complex legal matters in plain language, ensuring you can make informed decisions.
Medical Preferences to Consider Before Signing
Your instructions should reflect your goals, values, and treatment preferences. The discussion may address life-sustaining treatment, comfort-focused care, and interventions such as mechanical ventilation or artificial nutrition and hydration.
Not every future medical situation can be predicted. Written directions can establish important boundaries, while an appointed agent can handle decisions that fall outside the document’s specific language.
Choosing a Healthcare Agent
Choose someone who understands your values, is willing to follow your documented wishes, and can communicate with medical professionals. Availability also matters because important decisions may arise unexpectedly.
Discuss the role before naming an agent and confirm that the person is prepared to serve. An alternate provides another option if your primary choice can’t act.
When to Review an Advance Health Care Directive
Review your directive when changes in your relationships, health, or treatment preferences could affect your existing choices.
Review may be appropriate after:
- A marriage or divorce.
- The death or unavailability of a named agent.
- A conflict involving the intended decision-maker.
- A new diagnosis or major change in health.
- A change in treatment goals or personal preferences.
Utah law provides ways to change or revoke a directive. After an update, give the current document and agent information to the people and healthcare professionals who may need them.