Why Should I Have a Living Will?
A traditional will specifies how your estate – property, money, and possessions – should be distributed after death. A living will serves an entirely different purpose: it documents your medical preferences while you’re still alive but potentially unable to communicate your wishes.
What a Living Will Does
A living will is a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences if you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions yourself. It clearly states your wishes about how you want to be treated in a crisis involving your health.
This document provides several important benefits:
- Family Peace of Mind: Your loved ones won’t face the burden of guessing what you would want or making difficult end-of-life decisions
- Prevents Family Conflict: The document settles these questions ahead of time, reducing confusion or arguments among family members
- Clear Instructions: Your preferences are documented in writing, leaving little room for misinterpretation
Key Decisions to Address
When creating a living will, consider:
- Breathing assistance via ventilator
- Feeding tubes
- Medication preferences
- Organ donation wishes
- Duration of certain medical treatments
- Comfort care and pain management priorities
Important Steps to Take
Designate a Healthcare Surrogate: Name someone you trust – a family member or close friend – to be your healthcare power of attorney. This person will make medical decisions on your behalf based on your documented wishes.
Consult Your Healthcare Team: Discuss treatment options with your physician to ensure they understand and will honor your instructions.
File Copies: Give your primary physician and hospital copies to keep with your medical records.
Know Your State’s Requirements: Each state has specific living will forms and requirements. Work with an elder law or estate planning attorney to ensure your document is enforceable in your state.
The Bottom Line
A living will provides you and your loved ones with peace of mind by ensuring that serious medical decisions align with your values and preferences, should such difficult circumstances ever arise.
If you or a loved one needs assistance with living wills or estate planning, do not hesitate to contact The Stegall Law Firm for guidance.
