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Shea Law · Estate Planning

Michigan Healthcare Directives, made clear.

A healthcare directive lets you name someone you trust to make medical decisions if you ever can’t — and puts your wishes in writing so your family isn’t left guessing.

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The Basics

What is a healthcare directive in Michigan?

A Michigan healthcare directive is a legal document that lets you plan ahead for medical decisions. A Michigan healthcare directive does two things. First, it names a trusted person to speak for you if you can’t speak for yourself. Second, it records your wishes about the care you do — and don’t — want.

In Michigan, the main document is called a Designation of Patient Advocate. The person you name is your “patient advocate.” Your directive can also include a living will that states your end-of-life wishes. Together, these keep your care in the hands of someone you trust. They also spare your family painful guesswork.

In short: A healthcare directive names who speaks for your medical care if you can’t — and puts your wishes in writing, so your family isn’t forced to guess during a crisis.

Know Your Options

What a Healthcare Directive Includes

A complete plan usually combines more than one of these documents.

Designation of Patient Advocate

Michigan’s version of a healthcare power of attorney. As a result, it names the person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to — from treatment choices to care providers.

Living Will

A written statement of your wishes about life-sustaining treatment and end-of-life care, so your patient advocate and doctors know exactly what you would want.

HIPAA Authorization

In addition, it gives your chosen people legal access to your medical information. That way, the person making decisions can actually see the records they need.

Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR)

For those who want one, a physician-completed order about resuscitation. We help you understand whether it fits your wishes and coordinate it with your directive.

Why It Matters

What happens without a healthcare directive?

A Michigan healthcare directive prevents this. Without one, if you can’t communicate and no one has legal authority to decide, your family and the courts are left to sort it out.

Court Guardianship

Without a patient advocate, your family may have to ask a probate court to appoint a guardian. As a result, they face a slow, public process.

Family Conflict

Because your wishes aren’t in writing, loved ones can disagree about your care during the worst possible moment. Sadly, this adds conflict to grief.

Wishes Ignored

Without documentation, doctors often default to aggressive treatment. However, that may not be what you would have chosen for yourself.

How Shea Law Helps

Healthcare planning, handled with care.

Michigan healthcare directive attorney meeting with a client

These are deeply personal decisions. That’s why we take the time to understand your wishes and explain your options in plain language. Above all, we make sure your documents will actually be honored when it matters most.

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  • Drafted to Michigan law, tailored to your wishes
  • Patient advocate, living will & HIPAA, done right
  • Coordinated with your full estate plan
  • In person at 18 Michigan offices, or by Zoom
Common Questions

Michigan Healthcare Directive FAQ

A patient advocate is the person you name in a Designation of Patient Advocate. They make medical and mental-health decisions for you if you become unable to make them yourself. In Michigan, this is how a healthcare power of attorney works. Your advocate can only act once a physician determines you’re unable to take part in your own care decisions.
A Designation of Patient Advocate names a person to make decisions for you. A living will is a written statement of your own wishes about life-sustaining treatment. They work together. The living will tells your advocate and doctors what you want, and the advocate makes sure those wishes are carried out. Most complete plans include both.
Choose someone you trust to honor your wishes, even under pressure. This is often a spouse, adult child, or close friend. They should stay calm in a crisis and advocate firmly with medical staff. Above all, they should be willing to follow your instructions rather than their own preferences. You can also name a backup in case your first choice isn’t available.
Yes. As long as you are competent, you can change or revoke your healthcare directive at any time. It’s wise to review it after major life events. A marriage, divorce, serious diagnosis, or the loss of the person you named are all good reasons to take another look. That way, it always reflects your wishes and the right people are in place.
Yes. A healthcare directive is one of the core documents in a complete Michigan estate plan. It sits alongside a will or trust and a financial power of attorney. A will or trust handles what happens after you pass. A healthcare directive protects you while you’re alive but unable to speak for yourself.
You aren’t required to. But a directive that isn’t drafted and signed correctly can be questioned by hospitals or family exactly when it’s needed. An attorney makes sure your documents meet Michigan’s requirements and say what you actually want. We also make sure they work together with the rest of your estate plan.
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Let’s make your wishes clear.

Reach out for a free, no-pressure consultation. We’ll answer your questions about healthcare directives and help you put the right protections in place — no obligation.

  • Free consultation, no obligation
  • In person at 18 Michigan offices, or by Zoom
  • We respond within one business day

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