Personal Directives

In the event you are incapacitated, you should be able to rely on a trusted relative or friend to make key personal decisions about your care. Establishing a personal directive will ensure this happens. A personal directive is a legal document that outlines your wishes for your care. It can also appoint an individual of your choosing, known as an agent, to decide on your medical care, place of residence and other aspects of your personal life when you are unable to do so.

The professionals at Castle & Associates are important advisors to individuals in the drafting of personal directives. The lawyers at Castle & Associates, a respected Calgary litigation firm, will also launch or defend actions against an agent when the agent's actions are in dispute.

Benefits Of Establishing A Personal Directive

A personal directive gives you the opportunity to formalize your wishes for your medical and personal care, including the maintenance of life support and the course of treatment for specific medical conditions. In the absence of a personal directive, family members with an interest in your care will potentially have to go to court to resolve disputes about your care. In some cases, the Office of the Public Guardian of Alberta will make decisions for you.

The lawyers at Castle & Associates will advise you on the recommended contents of your personal directive, including how it can work alongside an enduring power of attorney to ensure your affairs are handled as you see fit in the future. These issues are multifaceted; we can help you to identify the issues of most importance to you and help you and your agent to understand the full scope of the responsibilities established by a living will.

Professional Advice For Drafting Medical Directives

Conflicts can arise in the enforcement of a personal directive. As litigation counsel, we also launch and defend challenges to living wills.