A living will is an estate planning document that accomplishes goals different from a last will and testament. When you create an estate plan with your Cherry Hill estate planning lawyer, it’s your option to include a living will in it. Before you make a decision, you must ensure you know what you accomplish when you include it into your estate plan.
How a Living Will Works
You can include a living will in a health care directive as part of your estate plan. Often, this directive is composed of various documents that express your wishes regarding your health care when you become ill or incapacitated. Typically, the documents authorize an individual you choose to make health care decisions for you. Also, it includes instructions for other decisions like medications or organ donation. A living will be prepared as a standalone document or attached to your health care power of attorney.
In addition, your living will express your wishes regarding end-of-life care, which includes medical care for an irreversible coma, a terminal condition, or a persistent vegetative state. With this in place, all those involved in your future treatment are aware of your wishes when you cannot communicate or express them yourself. By making this document while you are healthy and have a clear mind, you can have peace of mind that your loved ones, medical providers, and others know how your future medical care must be handled when you become incapacitated.
Making a Living Will
If you want your estate plan to include a living will, consider choosing an estate lawyer to help you with the planning. Your lawyer will make sure your documents meet the complex legal requirements in the state and that you know what it means to execute documents. Creating an estate planning document by yourself comes with some risks. When you use a form or an online service for creating any legal document, you and your family can face disastrous consequences. A skilled estate planning lawyer will assist you if you wish to add a living will to your estate plan. Also, they can help you create an estate plan that addresses other concerns apart from a living will. Going to an attorney can help you get legal advice and learn the medical issues that could arise or what would happen if you do not have a living will.
When you designate someone to make medical decisions for you, ensure you choose the one you trust and one who can stay strong and level-headed even during the most stressful situations ns. This person will work with your medical providers to determine your appropriate care based on what your living will instruct.
