Danielle from de Groots Wills and Estates Lawyers explains the importance of Advance Health Directives (AHDs) in Australia, which allow individuals to specify their future healthcare wishes and appoint attorneys.

There are two types: common law and statutory directives,with legal recognition varying by state.

In Queensland for example, only statutory directives arelegally binding.

AHDs differ from Enduring Powers of Attorney, which coverfinancial matters.

They also specify consent or refusal of treatments,including DNR orders and organ donation.

If no AHD is in place, healthcare decisions are made by astatutory health attorney, prioritising the spouse, carer, or close friend.

Danielle defines an AHD as a document that allowsindividuals to express their future healthcare wishes and appoint attorneys to make decisions on their behalf.

Join us on part 2 where we continue this important discussion.