An advance health care directive records your wishes about future medical care. It may also name a health care surrogate who can make certain medical choices for you if you cannot make them yourself. You might sign the document once and rarely think about it again, but some life changes give you a good reason to read it again. Here are four such instances.
1. After a divorce
If you named your spouse as your health care surrogate, divorce affects who can serve in that role. Under Florida law, divorce or annulment revokes your former spouse’s designation unless your directive or a court order says otherwise. You may want to check who would serve instead.
2. After moving to Florida
A move to Florida does not automatically cancel an advance directive you signed elsewhere. Florida recognizes a directive that you signed under another state’s law or under Florida law. Still, your address or choice of surrogate might no longer fit your current situation, so a review could help you spot details that need attention.
3. When your medical wishes change
Your views about treatment may change as your health or priorities change. The National Institute on Aging notes that your values and treatment preferences can change over time. Florida allows you to amend or revoke your directive while you are competent.
4. When your surrogate can no longer serve
The person you chose as your surrogate could become ill, move away or decide not to take the role. Florida lets you name an alternate who may serve if your first choice is unwilling, unable or not reasonably available. Looking over the document might help you confirm that the people you named are still able to act for you.
Keeping your plan current
Your directive tells others what you want if they later have to make medical choices for you. As part of your broader future planning, you may want to review it after a major life change and share any updates with the people involved. That could make your wishes easier to follow when others rely on the document.