What Are Advance Directives and Why You Need Them in Florida
Planning ahead is part of running a business, raising a family, or protecting the assets you’ve worked hard to build. In Florida, one of the most overlooked but powerful estate planning tools is an advance directive.
These legal documents allow you to decide how medical decisions will be made if you can’t speak for yourself. At Southron Firm, P.A., we help clients across Florida create advance directives that reflect their wishes, comply with state law, and give peace of mind to their loved ones.
If you don’t yet have an advance directive, now is the time to put one in place. Waiting until a crisis happens is too late.
What Is an Advance Directive?
An advance directive is a legal document that tells doctors and your loved ones what medical care you want if you’re unable to speak for yourself. Think of it as your voice on paper—clear, legally valid instructions that protect your wishes when you can’t explain them.
In Florida, an advance directive can include:
- Living Will – Outlines whether you want life support, feeding tubes, or other treatments in serious medical situations.
- Health Care Surrogate Designation – Names a trusted person to make healthcare decisions for you if you’re unable.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order – A medical order that tells providers not to perform CPR if your heart or breathing stops.
Without an advance directive, your loved ones may be left guessing about what you would have wanted. In some cases, families end up in court trying to sort it out.
These documents aren’t just for seniors or people with serious health issues. Accidents, unexpected illnesses, or medical emergencies can happen at any age. Having an advance directive means you stay in control of your care and spare your family from the burden of making painful choices in the dark.
Why Advance Directives Matter
Without an advance directive, medical decisions may be left to doctors or family members who are forced to guess what you would have wanted. This often creates stress, conflict, and even legal battles when loved ones can’t agree. In some cases, courts get involved, delaying care and adding more emotional strain.
At Southron Firm, P.A., we help you avoid those problems by preparing advance directives that are legally valid in Florida and customized to reflect your wishes. That way, your family has clear guidance, and your medical team has instructions they can follow without question.
An advance directive gives you:
- Control – You decide what treatments you do or don’t want.
- Clarity – Your loved ones aren’t left guessing or arguing.
- Legal Protection – Florida law recognizes properly executed advance directives.
- Peace of Mind – You know your wishes will be respected.
Don’t leave your healthcare decisions to chance. Protect your wishes today with a legally valid advance directive.
Who Should Have an Advance Directive in Florida
An advance directive is recommended for every adult in Florida, not just seniors or those with health issues. Medical emergencies and unexpected illnesses can happen at any age, and having your wishes clearly documented prevents confusion and stress for your loved ones.
Our estate planning attorneys work with clients from all walks of life to ensure their advance directives reflect their preferences and comply with Florida law.
Some groups who benefit most include:
- Young families – Parents can ensure their healthcare wishes are clear, protecting both themselves and their children.
- Individuals with chronic illnesses – Advance directives prevent unwanted or unnecessary treatments.
- Business owners – While many plan for business succession, personal healthcare planning is often overlooked.
- Professionals in high-risk occupations – Pilots, construction workers, first responders, and others who face occupational hazards benefit from having clear instructions in place.
If you feel uncertain or have questions about whether an advance directive is right for you, our attorneys are here to guide you. We take the time to answer your questions, explain the process, and make sure you feel confident about your decisions.
How to Create an Advance Directive in Florida
Creating an advance directive isn’t just filling out a form. Florida Statutes §765.101–§765.113 sets clear requirements for advance directives, including specific language, witness rules, and notarization in some cases. If these steps aren’t followed correctly, your directive may be invalid, leaving your wishes unclear and your family under stress.
At Southron Firm, P.A., we guide clients through every step to make the process simple, accurate, and legally enforceable.
Here’s our process to create an advance directive in Florida for our clients:
- Discuss Your Wishes – We start by exploring your goals and concerns. We help you consider scenarios you might not have thought of, ensuring your preferences are fully captured.
- Draft the Document – Our attorneys prepare a Florida-compliant advance directive tailored to your situation, so there’s no ambiguity and it meets all legal requirements.
- Sign with Witnesses – Florida law requires two witnesses, and at least one cannot be a family member. We explain who can serve as a witness and help you coordinate signatures correctly.
- Share with Loved Ones and Healthcare Providers – A document is only effective if the right people have access to it. We advise clients on where to keep copies, how to provide them to medical professionals, and how to communicate your wishes clearly to your surrogate.
By working with Southron Firm, P.A., you avoid the common pitfalls of DIY documents, such as invalid forms, missing witnesses, or unclear instructions. Our goal is to make sure your advance directive is legally sound, accurately reflects your wishes, and gives your family peace of mind.
Don’t risk your wishes being ignored. Let our attorneys prepare your Florida advance directive correctly.
Common Mistakes People Make With Advance Directives
Many Floridians try to create an advance directive on their own using online templates or generic forms.
While these may seem convenient, they often lead to serious problems, including:
- Non-compliance with Florida law
- Incomplete or unclear instructions
- Failure to update documents
- Keeping the directive hidden
We’ve seen cases where homemade directives caused confusion and even led families to seek court intervention. Working with an attorney eliminates these risks.
Why Work With Our Advance Directive Attorneys
At Southron Firm, P.A., we’ve guided countless Florida families through estate planning, including advance directives. Our experience in estate planning gives us a unique perspective: we know how to protect your personal wishes while also protecting your family and financial interests. Working with an attorney eliminates common risks like invalid documents, unclear instructions, or directives that aren’t shared with the right people.
When you work with us, you benefit from:
- Draft advance directives that fully comply with Florida law.
- Ensure your instructions are clear and specific.
- Review and update your documents as life circumstances change.
- Advise on sharing the directive with the right people to guarantee it’s accessible when needed.
We create legally sound, customized advance directives that protect your rights, reduce family stress, and provide clarity in difficult moments.
If you live in Florida and don’t have an advance directive, now is the time to act. Putting it off leaves you and your loved ones at risk. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and prepare documents that truly reflect your wishes.
Call our advance directive attorney today to schedule a consultation.