Healthcare Decision-Making




Perez‑Roura Law assists Miami residents in planning for complex medical decision‑making—through healthcare surrogate designations, advance directives, living wills, and coordination with providers—so your values guide care if you’re unable to decide.

Medical emergencies and serious illness can leave you unable to speak for yourself—yet decisions about treatment, resuscitation, organ donation, and life support often can’t wait. At Perez‑Roura Law, we help clients in Miami prepare for these moments. Through thoughtful planning and clear legal documents, we ensure your voice continues to guide your care—even when you can’t be present. Our experienced attorneys help you define your preferences, appoint trusted decision‑makers, and integrate your plan across family, providers, and healthcare systems.

Healthcare Surrogate—Assigning Your Medical Advocate

A healthcare surrogate (also known as a healthcare or medical power of attorney) is a person you choose to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re incapacitated. Florida law requires this designation to be in writing and signed by two witnesses or notarized. We guide clients through choosing the right person—someone who understands their values, communicates clearly under stress, and is willing to act when needed.

We craft precise designations that ensure your surrogate can access medical records, speak with doctors, consent to or refuse treatment, and make decisions about hospitalization, surgical care, nursing services, organ donation, and placement in medical facilities. The document can also specify activation triggers—such as incapacity determined by physicians—or be immediately effective, depending on your wishes. Copies are shared with your agent, family, and care team, and your medical providers are informed ahead of time to streamline care coordination during crises.

Advance Directives & Living Wills—Your Medical Values, Clearly Stated

A living will spells out what matters to you if you’re unable to communicate. It explains your views on life‑sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition, hydration, ventilation, resuscitation (DNR/DNI), and palliative care. We help clients articulate their medical values—whether emphasizing comfort, extending life through interventions, or balancing quality of life—and embed those preferences in legally binding documents that guide providers and surrogates.

Our approach begins with conversations about your priorities: How long do you want to prolong life? Do you want feeding tubes or ventilators? Are there circumstances where you’d refuse treatment? Once clarified, we use language compliant with Florida law and specific enough to carry legal weight—so your care aligns with your values, not default protocols—when you can’t advocate for yourself.

Instructional Directives—Giving Context to Your Medical Decisions

Beyond binary yes/no answers, Medical Instructional Directives can provide nuance—helping your surrogate and providers interpret your preferences through real‑world scenarios. These might include:

• “If my condition is permanent and will not improve, I prefer comfort care only.”
• “I want full intervention if the chance of meaningful recovery is high, even if it is burdensome.”
• “I refuse amputation or terminal sedation if I’m conscious.”

By combining binding advance directives with contextual guidance, we help you ensure that your wishes are honored consistently—without leaving critical decisions to chance or interpretation.

Integration with Legal & Healthcare Systems

Legal documents are only as effective as their implementation. We help clients integrate their plans into existing healthcare relationships—making sure documents are included in medical records, electronic health systems (like MyChart), hospital registries, and durable medical files. We also prepare family members and care staff on how and when to activate the plan. If the surrogate’s authority is challenged, we provide support to ensure compliance with Florida law and hospital policy.

Facing Hospital Stays & Emergencies—Activated Advocacy

Even with documents in place, the real-world environment of hospitals can present challenges. Medical providers may hesitate to follow certain directives due to liability concerns or uncertainty. In urgent situations, timing and clarity matter. Perez‑Roura Law offers direct support when documents are disputed—communicating with hospital risk offices, guiding agents through activation, verifying incapacity, and if needed, seeking court intervention to enforce your rights.

Periodic Review & Updates—Respecting Changes in Medical Science, Beliefs, or Relationships

Your preferences may shift over time, and changes in medical technology or family dynamics can affect your plan. We encourage clients to revisit documents every few years—or after major life events like marriage, diagnosis of illness, or relocation. We help amend, revoke, or replace directives and surrogates, formally notifying care providers and family to eliminate confusion and legal conflict.

Why Planning Healthcare Decisions Matters for Everyone

Some people think directives are only for seniors or those with serious illness—but the opposite is true. Accidents and sudden illness can happen at any age, often without warning. Whether you’re 25 or 65, having your medical preferences documented—along with a trusted surrogate—is essential. It gives you autonomy, reduces stress on family, and avoids default medical decisions that may contradict your values.

Why Choose Perez‑Roura Law in Miami

Medical decision planning is deeply personal—and fragile without experienced guidance. Our firm combines legal precision with compassion. We help clients navigate challenging questions with patience, craft documents that meet Florida legal standards, and support every step of implementation, review, and activation. When crisis hits, your voice continues through your plan—and we’re in your corner to make sure it’s heard.

Preparing for incapacitation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and those who care about you. With Perez‑Roura Law, your healthcare decisions remain firmly rooted in your values—communicated with clarity, documented with authority, and honored when it matters most. Contact us today to discuss how to create or update your healthcare decision‑making plan in Miami.