San Diego is a multi-cultural city with people of various ethnic backgrounds and religions. Our community has such religious faiths as Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as many other faiths. A person’s religious or spiritual beliefs can have importance for their estate planning, and in particular for their Advance Health Care Directive. Standard form Advance Health Care Directives may need to be tailored for people of certain religious faiths.
An Advance Health Care Directive is a document which allows you to set forth your personal wishes for such things as life-saving procedures, blood transfusions, hydration, nutrition, and life support. You appoint an agent to make such decisions for you if you are unable to do so. A website has information about guidelines for health care powers of attorney for evangelical Christians, Muslim, Hindus, and Buddhists. Catholic guidelines are also available online as well as teachings from Judaism. Sharp Hospital here in San Diego also has a checklist of 25 topics including your religious beliefs to discuss with your agent for health care. You can also ask your Rabbi, Priest, or other spiritual advisor about what beliefs of your faith affect health care and end of life issues.
If you need specific language in your Advance Health Care Directive to incorporate your religious beliefs, the attorneys at Law Office of Scott C. Soady, A Professional Corporation can assist you with that or with any other estate planning issue. Contact us by phone or e mail us at Law Office of Scott C. Soady, A Professional Corporation. Your initial in-house consultation is complementary.