3 Reasons You Need a Healthcare Directive: True Stories from an Estate Attorney

Are you prepared to make critical healthcare decisions for yourself or your loved ones when the time comes? 
 
Join me as I welcome back my friend and attorney Andie Patton to discuss the vital topic of healthcare directives. We explore the importance of appointing a trusted agent to make medical decisions in cases of incapacity, navigating family dynamics, and planning ahead to ensure your wishes are respected. The conversation covers end-of-life decision-making, including the nuances of healthcare directives, organ donation, and documenting preferences like cremation. We also address the emotional aspects of preparing for these scenarios and the role of attorneys versus DIY approaches. Tune in for insights on ensuring your healthcare decisions align with your values. 
 
Andrea, “Andie” Patton is a seasoned trust and estate attorney with over 20 years of experience in drafting family trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. Passionate about guiding clients through the complexities of estate planning, she ensures their families are well cared for and their wishes honored. Andie holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from UC Irvine and earned her law degree from Loyola Law School in 1999. Licensed by the California State Bar, she is an active member of the Orange County Bar Association. Outside of work, Andie enjoys reading, spending time with her son and partner Matt, and exploring the outdoors with her chihuahua, Theo. 

In this episode: 

• (00:00) What is it, who is it for, and when would you need an advanced healthcare directive? 

• (05:31) Choosing the right family member to be your agent 

• (08:13) Using the California Medical Association form, immediate vs. ‘springing’ 

• (09:27) Living wills, making changes in agents or directives 

• (14:40) Organ and tissue donation, cremation or burial requests  

• (20:18) Changing percentages of people that choose different options over the years, movies and real life scenarios in the news 

• (26:17) How your body may help others after death 

• (31:45) Steps to take, how long will it take, what are the costs of a directive? 

• (33:09) Kaiser has their own forms, but check them with your attorney, AARP and other orgs have resources 

• (38:34) Review this document every FIVE YEARS! 

• (40:54) Playing “You Know You’re Old When…” 

• Follow, subscribe, share, and rate….Send me your comments and feedback on the show! 
   

ThirtyFiveSixtyFour is a podcast for listeners between the ages of 35 and 64. Available on all major podcast platforms, the show offers an engaging journey through the various challenges and experiences of midlife. ThirtyFiveSixtyFour presents a distinct departure from the traditional midlife crisis storyline. Instead, it champions the perspective that midlife should be viewed as a period marked by play, discovery, transformation and possibility. With new episodes released weekly, ThirtyFiveSixtyFour is positioned to become one of the fastest-growing podcasts of the year, providing both valuable insights and entertainment