Why Should You Have a Living Will and Health Care: Powers of Attorney?
A written Living Will allows YOU to express your healthcare choices ahead of time regarding whether you want life-sustaining treatment to begin or to continue if you are unable to communicate your wishes. This document goes into effect only when you are no longer able to communicate with healthcare providers and are determined by the doctor to have an incurable, irreversible condition.
The Nevada Revised Statute 449.626(2) is the state law that prioritizes the order of authority for those who will make health care decisions for you in the event a written directive does not exist as follows:
The spouse of the patient;
An adult child of the patient or, if there is more than one child, a majority of the adult children who are reasonably available for consultation;
The parents of the patient;
An adult sibling of the patient or, if there is more than one adult sibling, a majority of the adult siblings who are reasonably available for consultation; or
The nearest other adult relative of the patient by blood or adoption who is reasonably available for consultation.
Contact DPS of Northern Nevada at (775) 385-0224 to get started on your Living Will. Don't leave your healthcare decisions to your loved ones.