Wisconsin Medical Planning Attorneys

Medical planning is an important step toward securing future healthcare while protecting your family and assets. However, planning for medical care is not just for the elderly or terminally ill. It’s essential for anyone who wants to align their health care and financial decisions with their values and wishes if they become unable to make these decisions themselves.

At SB Law, our experienced attorneys are skilled at helping our clients develop comprehensive medical plans and make informed decisions that provide clarity and security for them and their families. Whether you need help creating an advance directive, establishing a power of attorney, or setting up long-term care, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized guidance every step of the way.

With offices in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, we serve clients throughout the Lakeshore area. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you prepare for future medical care.

The Importance of Medical Planning

Medical planning is about more than just preparing for worst-case scenarios; it's about carefully planning for your future care and your family's well-being. An effective medical plan allows you to define what types of medical care you want to receive, establish any types of care you don't want, and help your family make informed decisions if you are no longer able to communicate or advocate for yourself.

Without a proper medical plan in place, Wisconsin state law will determine who has the legal authority to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf. This can lead to conflicts among family members or to decisions that may not align with your preferences.

When setting up a medical plan in Wisconsin, it's essential to understand the specific laws that govern medical directives, powers of attorney, and long-term care planning:

• Advance directives: Wisconsin recognizes advance directives, including powers of attorney for health care and the Declaration to Physicians (commonly called a living will). These may include decisions about life-sustaining treatments, end-of-life care, and organ donation. However, they must comply with the state requirements to be legally valid.

• Powers of attorney: Wisconsin recognizes two types: durable and limited. Durable POAs remain valid even if you become incapacitated, while limited POAs have specific limitations and expire upon a specified event or date. Wisconsin does not recognize joint powers of attorney.

At SB Law, our attorneys stay current on the laws governing estate and medical planning, and we are committed to helping you craft legal documents that clearly articulate your wishes and comply with Wisconsin law.

Our Medical Planning Services

At SB Law, we recognize the importance of medical planning. We offer a comprehensive range of medical planning services to equip you with the tools and legal protections you need to plan your future care with confidence. Our primary services include the following:

• Powers of attorney for health care: A power of attorney for health care allows you to designate a trusted individual, such as your agent, to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. We can help you draft a document that meets Wisconsin's legal requirements and reflects your specific end-of-life care and treatment preferences.

• Living wills: Also known as a Declaration to Physicians, a living will enables you to outline your preferences for life-sustaining treatment if you are terminally ill or in a vegetative state. These documents are particularly important, as the law may limit the scope of the decisions your family members can make without clear written instructions. We can help you create a legally sound living will that clearly and effectively establishes your wishes.

• Durable power of attorney for finances: Medical planning often intersects with financial planning. A durable power of attorney for finances allows you to grant a trusted individual the authority to manage your financial affairs should you become incapacitated. From paying medical bills to accessing retirement funds, this document can offer clarity and peace of mind during challenging situations.

• HIPAA authorizations: Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), your medical information is confidential and cannot be shared without your consent. By creating a HIPAA authorization, you can grant specific individuals access to your medical records, making sure they have the information they need to make informed decisions about your health care.

• Long-term care planning: We offer services to help with long-term care planning, including nursing home and assisted living expenses. We can help you explore your options for Medicaid planning and long-term care insurance to make sure you can access the resources you need without jeopardizing your assets.

• Reviewing and updating existing medical plans: Life circumstances change, and your medical plan should adapt accordingly. Whether you've had a child, experienced a divorce, or changed your health care preferences, we can review and update your existing documents to make sure they remain accurate and effective.

How Our Firm Can Help

At SB Law, we recognize the importance of medical planning and the personal decisions it involves. Our attorneys will take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and customize your documents to align with your medical preferences. Whether you’re just beginning the medical planning process or you need to update existing documents, our team is dedicated to providing trusted legal support.

Contact Our Experienced Medical Planning Attorneys Today

Establishing provisions for medical and end-of-life care is an essential part of comprehensive estate planning. While making these decisions can be difficult in the moment, an effective medical plan helps clearly communicate your wishes when you are unable to do so and minimizes the need for your family to make tough decisions.

At SB Law, we have years of combined experience in designing tailored estate plans for our clients. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. With offices in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, we serve clients throughout the the Lakeshore area, including Ozaukee County, Calumet County, Fond du Law County, Kewaunee County, and Door County.