Once you sign a Health Care Advance Directive, be sure to give a copy of it to your doctor and to your agent, close relatives, and anyone else who may be involved in your care. These surrogates, who are usually family members in order of kinship, can make some or all health care decisions. Even without such statutes, most doctors and health facilities routinely consult family, as long as there are close family members available and there is no disagreement. However, problems can arise because family members may not know what the patient would want in a given situation. They also may disagree about the best course of action.
Disagreement can easily undermine family consent.
A hospital physician or specialist who does not know you well may become your decision-maker, or a court proceeding may be necessary to resolve a disagreement. In these situations, decisions about your health care may not reflect your wishes or may be made by persons you would not choose. Family members and persons close to you may go through needless agony in making life and death decisions without your guidance. It is far better to make your wishes known and appoint an agent ahead of time through a Health Care Advance Directive. You do not need a lawyer to make a Health Care Advance Directive.