Planning for Your Health & Future

National Estate Planning Awareness Month

This week we're highlighting the importance of health care estate planning documents. In our featured blog, we explore the critical question: Who would you trust to make your health care decisions if you were unable to do so or communicate with your medical team? It’s a vital part of planning for your future and ensuring your wishes are honored. We’re also excited to shine a special spotlight on our newest attorney, Robert Hale.

Health Care Estate Planning Documents

When most people think of estate planning, they think of wills and trusts and passing assets on to the next generation. However, there is another part of estate planning that doesn’t get as much attention. It concerns advance health care planning. 

• Have you thought about what type of medical care and treatments you want, or don’t want, if you become incapacitated or terminally ill? 
• Who would you trust to make health care decisions for you if you were not able to make decisions or communicate with the medical professionals who were caring for you? 

If you don't have the answers to these questions in writing ahead of time, decisions may need to be made in court by a judge. The care you get may be different from your wishes or beliefs. And the person selected to make decisions for you may not know what you want or share your values.

To ensure your health care wishes are honored, you need to spell them out in appropriate legal documents commonly referred to as advance directives. You don't need to wait for later years. Every adult should have advance directives since a serious medical emergency could happen at any time. 

Meet Robert Hale

Robert Hale, Esq.

Attorney at Law

Robert was born and raised in Russellville, Arkansas. In 2018, Robert earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a minor in Legal Studies, from the University of Arkansas. His academic journey continued at the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2024.

Robert has been part of the Pickler Companies family since February 2022, working as a staff accountant with Pickler Accounting Advisors - Russellville, AR. His dedication and passion for law culminated in passing the Arkansas Bar Exam in July 2024. 

Robert has always had a passion for sports, growing up playing a variety of team games like football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and church league softball. In his free time, he enjoys fantasy football, lifting weights, and staying active by playing any sport he can. A devoted fan, Robert cheers on his favorite teams—the Arkansas Razorbacks, Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Antonio Spurs. Robert never misses a home Razorback football game. He also values quality time with his pup Gray Grey, his family, and his girlfriend Ashley and her daughter Parker.