Advance Health Care Directive - Virtual Planning for Your Health & Peace of Mind
- Expert California Estate Planning Lawyers
- Comprehensive Planning
- Modern & Convenient Process
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone—it’s also about protecting your wishes while you’re still alive. An Advance Health Care Directive ensures your voice is heard when it matters most—during a medical emergency or serious illness—when you may not be able to speak for yourself.
At Jenkins & Jenkins, Estate Planning Attorneys, we help Californians across San Diego and beyond create legally sound, customized Advance Health Care Directives through 100% virtual meetings . With just a few simple steps, you can take control of your future care—on your terms.
What Is an Advance Medical Directive?
An Advance Health Care Directive , commonly referred to as a Medical Directive or Living Will, in California, is a legal document that:
• Appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated
• Allows you to outline your medical preferences , including life-sustaining treatments, pain management, and end-of-life care
• Gives your loved ones clarity and confidence about your wishes, reducing the stress and uncertainty during medical crises
In California, this directive typically combines a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare with a Living Will —into one comprehensive, legally binding document. You also pair this directive with a HIPAA release to ensure your Agent has the full access they need to advocate for you.
Why it Matters
Imagine being in a serious accident or falling into a coma. If you can’t speak or make decisions, who will decide what kind of care you receive? Will they know what you would have wanted?
An Advance Medical Directive allows you to:
✅ Choose a trusted person to make decisions for you
✅ Prevent unwanted or unnecessary medical interventions
✅ Provide peace of mind to your loved ones during difficult times
✅ Ensure your values and beliefs guide your care
Without one, doctors may be forced to make decisions without your input—or conflicts may arise among family members. Leaving your wishes to a best guess is not the way to go in any scenario.
What Does an Advance Medical Directive Cover?
In your directive, you can be as specific or general as you wish. Common preferences include:
• Life support and resuscitation (CPR, ventilators, etc.)
• Tube feeding and hydration
• Organ donation
• Palliative or hospice care
• Mental health treatment options
• Religious or spiritual considerations
• Burial, Cremation, or other preferences
You’ll also name a Healthcare Agent —someone you trust to advocate for you and carry out your wishes.
Who Should Have One?
The short answer: everyone 18 and older.
Medical emergencies can happen at any time, to anyone. Having an Advance Health Care Directive in place:
• Protects college students and young adults
• Guides spouses and partners through critical decisions
• Supports aging parents or those with chronic illness
• Gives peace of mind to caregivers and healthcare providers
Whether you're single, married, young, or retired, this document is a crucial part of a well-rounded estate plan.
Virtual Estate Planning - How We Help
At Jenkins & Jenkins, we make it easy to plan ahead— without stepping foot in an office . Our process is fully virtual and designed to give you clarity, confidence, and control.
Here’s how it works:
1. Free Video Consultation
We’ll walk you through what an Advance Health Care Directive does and help you decide what to include. We’ll also discuss what other tools need to be in your estate plan to make a comprehensive plan for your family, like a Living Trust, Will, or Power of Attorney.
2. Customized Drafting
Your medical directive is built around your values, wishes, and preferences—customized to fit your needs.
3. Virtual Review & Edits
You’ll receive a video walkthrough of your estate plan where your Attorney guides you through all the legalese as easy as possible. Have follow up questions? No problem, jump on another video call with your attorney and discuss as much as needed.
4. Mobile Notarization
When a final version is agreed on, we’ll send our mobile notary out to you at home to properly execute the plan according to California law. Our team will make a full digital backup of your plan before returning the originals for safekeeping.
5. Ongoing Updates
As your wishes or health changes, we’re here to update your medical directive at any time.
Serving San Diego and all of California - Virtually
From Carlsbad to Imperial Beach, and Downtown San Diego to Julian, we help individuals and families across San Diego County—and the entire state of California—create Advance Health Care Directives as part of their overall estate plan from the comfort of their homes.
No traffic, no waiting rooms— just personalized legal guidance by video conference.
Planning ahead is an act of love. An Advance Medical Directive makes sure that, even in moments of uncertainty, your wishes are respected, and your loved ones are supported.
Ready to get started? We’re here to help you take this important step—quickly, clearly, and compassionately
