A healthcare directive (also known as an advance directive or living will) is a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves due to illness, injury, or incapacity. It typically addresses two main components:

1. Living Will: Specifies the types of medical treatments a person wants or doesn’t want in certain situations, such as life support, resuscitation, or organ donation. It is used when the person is terminally ill or in a permanently unconscious state.
2. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: Designates someone (often a family member or trusted friend) to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so. This person is called a healthcare proxy or agent.

Healthcare directives help ensure that a person’s medical preferences are respected and provide guidance to family members and healthcare providers in making difficult decisions. It’s important to regularly review and update these documents to reflect any changes in personal values or health conditions. A heathcare directive is usually included in a comprehensive estate plan created by an experienced attorney, although it can be a stand-alone document.