Most people never expect to be in a situation where they cannot explain their own medical wishes. It feels distant. Hypothetical. Until it is not. When something unexpected happens, your family is often forced to make decisions quickly, sometimes with very little information and a lot of emotion. This is where medical directives come into play.

Medical directives remove the guesswork and give loved ones something concrete to rely on—rather than assumptions or memories that may not align.

As we look to 2026, these 5 end-of-year medical directive checks are essential.

Why Medical Directives and Estate Planning Matter More Than You Think

Estate planning is about far more than property or paperwork. It is about making sure the people you care about are not left struggling to figure out what you would have wanted. There are plenty of legal documents that can check these boxes, including Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney. But medical directives are equally important.

Also known as advanced care directives, medical directives are legal documents that outline end-of-life care and let others know your wishes. These can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Medical Power of Attorney
• Living Will
• Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
• HIPAA documents

As the year winds down, it makes sense to take a fresh look at these and other documents. After all, this is the last thing that should sit untouched for years, especially as life changes, relationships shift, and medical options evolve. Medical directives should evolve as your life progresses. An end-of-year review creates a natural checkpoint, one that fits neatly alongside other planning tasks people already associate with this season.

Here are a few medical directive checks to consider:

Check One: Do Your Medical Directives Still Reflect Your Wishes?

Medical preferences tend to develop over time rather than staying frozen in place. What once seemed like a clear choice can feel less clear to the same person years later. Medical options evolve. Personal experiences add perspective. Many people find that their views shift after caring for a parent, facing a health scare of their own, or simply learning more about how specific treatments actually affect day-to-day life.

Those changes are not unusual, but they often never make it into the written directive.

That is why it helps to read through the document with fresh eyes. Some sections may feel too general. Others may no longer sound like something you would say today. If someone had to follow these instructions during a stressful moment, would they feel confident they understood what you meant? When the language leaves room for guesswork, decisions can drift in directions you never intended, even when everyone involved is trying to do the right thing.

Beliefs can change, too. Some people become more focused on their quality of life as they age. Others place greater emphasis on pursuing treatment. There is no right or wrong answer, but clarity is needed. Updating your directive allows you to express those views in plain, current language.

As you review your wishes, it also becomes clear that the document is only as strong as the person carrying it out.

Check Two: Is Your Medical Decision-Maker Still the Right Choice?

Naming a medical decision-maker is one of the most critical parts of a medical directive. This person may be called upon to make serious decisions during emotionally charged moments. Choosing someone simply because they are a spouse, child, or sibling does not always lead to the best outcome.

Ask yourself whether the person you named still understands your values. Ensure that your decision-maker has medical power of attorney, understands your priorities, and will act with confidence rather than uncertainty.

That kind of confidence matters when time is of the essence.

Location and availability also matter. If your designated contact lives far away or travels frequently, delays can occur. Medical situations often move quickly. Having someone nearby or easily reachable can make a meaningful difference. Capacity is another consideration that people often overlook. The person you named years ago may now have health issues of their own or may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility.

Reviewing this choice annually allows you to adjust if circumstances have changed.

Once you are comfortable with who is named, the next step is making sure the right people can reach each other.

Check Three: Are Contact Details and Provider Information Current?

Even the most thoughtfully drafted directive can fall short if contact information is outdated. Phone numbers and email addresses change. Doctors retire or move practices. These details may seem small—until they create a delay during a medical emergency.

Review the contact information for your primary decision maker and any alternates you named. Confirm that numbers are accurate and that those individuals know they are listed. A quick conversation can prevent confusion later.

It is not unusual for a medical directive to list a physician who has not been part of a person’s care for quite some time. Doctors retire, offices change hands, and patients move on. Documents that were completed years earlier are never revisited. When that information is no longer current, it can create hesitation or backtracking at a moment when everyone involved is already under pressure. Precise, up-to-date physician details reduce stress and make it easier for medical staff to place the directive in the proper context when discussing treatment decisions.

Taking care of these details may feel minor, but they support the directive as a whole. When contact information is precise and reliable, there is less friction in an already stressful situation. That clarity makes it easier to focus on a different question altogether: whether the document itself still meets the legal standards it is expected to follow.

Check Four: Does Your Directive Meet Texas Legal Standards?

Texas law has specific requirements for medical directives. Forms found online may not account for these rules, and some templates are outdated or incomplete. A document that does not comply with state law may be questioned or disregarded when it matters most.

Older directives deserve special attention. Laws change, and once standard language may no longer be sufficient. A document created many years ago may not reflect current medical practices or legal expectations.

There is also the issue of customization. Generic forms often rely on broad language that fails to address individual preferences. Texas-compliant directives should be tailored to your situation while meeting statutory requirements.

Ensuring legal validity provides peace of mind. It also supports your family and medical providers by removing doubt about whether your wishes must be followed.

Even with a legally sound document, there is one more critical piece that cannot be ignored.

Check Five: Have You Talked With Your Family About Your Wishes?

A medical directive is powerful, but it does not exist in isolation. Conversations with your loved ones add context and understanding that paperwork alone cannot provide. When families know what you want and why, they are better prepared to support those decisions.

Many families avoid these discussions because talking about these subjects feels uncomfortable or emotionally heavy. Silence, however, often leads to even greater stress during unforeseen emergencies. Without guidance, loved ones may argue or hesitate, unsure of what you would have chosen.

Having these conversations sooner rather than later can make a real difference. They do not have to happen all at once, and they rarely follow a script. Sometimes they come up naturally, in pieces, over time. Giving family members space to ask questions or talk through concerns can help them better understand not just what you want, but why you want it. That understanding often matters as much as the document itself.

Make These Reviews Easier With Professional Guidance

For many people, reviewing medical directives is easy to postpone. The documents feel formal, the subject matter is uncomfortable, and it is not always obvious what needs updating. That uncertainty often leads to long delays. Partnering with an estate planning attorney can bring clarity to the process by guiding what still works and what no longer fits, and whether the documents meet current Texas requirements. Scheduling a regular review helps ensure these decisions do not get overlooked year after year.

The goal is peace of mind. Knowing your documents are in order allows your loved ones to act with confidence and follow your wishes without hesitation.

Call Nelson Law Group Today!!

At Nelson Law Group, PC, we carefully guide you through the estate planning process and help you make thoughtful, informed decisions—not just for yourself but also for the loved ones you leave behind. This includes helping you draft your medical directives in advance so they are ready when your family needs them most. Nelson Law can also help you with other estate-planning documents. When it comes to protecting your family’s future for years to come, it is imperative to have an estate planning attorney in your corner. If you have any questions, give our knowledgeable staff at Nelson Law Group a call. Our staff is always available.

For more information about Brett A. Nelson, click here.