What is a Personal Directive and Why Do You Need One?
When planning for the future, many individuals focus on financial planning, wills, and estate management. However, an often-overlooked aspect of future planning is the creation of a
personal directive. A personal directive is a legal document that ensures your wishes regarding personal care and health decisions are respected if you become unable to make those decisions yourself. At
Edmonton Notary Public, we provide comprehensive services to help you draft a personal directive that suits your individual needs.
Understanding the Importance of a Personal Directive
A personal directive is crucial for anyone who wishes to maintain control over their personal care, medical treatment, and living arrangements in case of incapacitation. This document allows you to appoint an agent—someone you trust—to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Unlike a will, which deals with financial matters after your death, a personal directive is activated during your lifetime if you are deemed incapable of making personal care decisions.
Without a personal directive, your loved ones may face lengthy legal procedures to obtain the authority to make decisions on your behalf. Worse, the choices they make may not align with your wishes. By creating a personal directive, you can avoid unnecessary complications and ensure that your desires are respected.
Key Components of a Personal Directive
At Edmonton Notary Public, we assist clients in drafting clear and legally binding personal directives. Some of the essential elements you may want to include in your directive are:
Appointing an Agent: Your agent will be the individual responsible for making decisions on your behalf. This could be a family member, friend, or anyone you trust to act in your best interest. It's crucial to discuss your wishes with the person you appoint to ensure they are willing and capable of carrying out your instructions.
Instructions on Personal Care: You can specify your preferences for living arrangements, including whether you wish to stay at home, receive care at a facility, or any other preferences that align with your values.
Medical Treatment Decisions: A personal directive allows you to express your wishes about medical care, including treatments you do or do not wish to receive. This may include decisions regarding life support, resuscitation, and pain management.
End-of-Life Care: You may also include instructions on end-of-life care, such as palliative care preferences or any religious considerations that you want respected.
Other Personal Matters: Beyond health care and living arrangements, you can also include other personal preferences, such as who will look after your pets, or any specific instructions related to personal property.
How to Create a Personal Directive with Edmonton Notary Public
Creating a personal directive doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Edmonton Notary Public, we make the process straightforward and efficient, ensuring that your document is legally sound and reflects your wishes accurately. Here’s how our process works:
- Consultation: We begin with a consultation to understand your specific needs and preferences. We explain the legal requirements for a personal directive and help you clarify what you want the document to cover.
- Drafting: Based on your instructions, we draft a custom personal directive that includes all the necessary legal elements. You will have the opportunity to review the draft and make any changes before it is finalized.
- Notarization: Once the personal directive is complete, we notarize the document to ensure it is legally binding. This is a critical step in ensuring that your personal directive holds up in legal settings, should it ever need to be activated.
- Safe Storage and Distribution: We advise you on the safe storage of your personal directive and recommend distributing copies to your agent and close family members so that they are aware of your wishes.
Why Choose Edmonton Notary Public?
At Edmonton Notary Public, we pride ourselves on offering competitively priced legal services with a focus on accessibility and convenience. We understand that future planning is a sensitive and personal matter, and we handle all aspects of creating a personal directive with professionalism and care. Here’s why you should choose us:
- Same-Day Service: We understand the urgency of legal matters, which is why we offer same-day appointments for personal directive creation.
- Mobile Notary Services: Can’t make it to us? No problem. We provide mobile notary services, coming to your home or office at your convenience.
- Transparent Pricing: With our notary fees starting at just $35, we offer cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.
By choosing Edmonton Notary Public, you ensure that your
personal directive is handled efficiently, legally, and in accordance with your wishes. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step in securing your future.
Edmonton Notary Public
About Us
We provide competitively priced legal services, offering bespoke solutions for businesses and individuals alike.
Contact Info
Phone/Text: (780) 851-5958
Email: info@edmonton-notary.ca