Why You Need a Living Will and What To Know Before Creating One
End-of-life planning can be a sensitive and difficult topic to address, but it's crucial to have a plan in place to ensure your wishes are respected. For many it is also important to relieve your loved ones from the burden of making difficult decisions during a time of grief. One important aspect of end-of-life planning is creating a living will. In this article, we'll explain what a living will is, why it's important, and what to think about before creating one.
A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for medical care if you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. It can include instructions on life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, and palliative care. It's important to note that a living will is different from a traditional will, which outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your death.
Having a living will in place provides many benefits. It ensures that your wishes for medical care are respected and followed, reducing the potential for family conflict and guilt. It also helps reduce the burden on your loved ones, who would otherwise be left to make difficult decisions without knowing your wishes.
How to Prepare for Creating a Living Will With an Attorney:
Identify your values and preferences: Before creating a living will, it's essential to identify what matters most to you regarding medical care. Consider what treatments you would want or not want in different scenarios.
Choose a healthcare agent: A healthcare agent is someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. This person should be someone who knows your values and preferences and can advocate for your wishes.
Document your wishes: Write down your wishes for medical care in as much detail as possible, including specific instructions on life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, and palliative care.
It is often the best idea to meet with an attorney to discuss all of these factors. The attorney can help you think through many situations, and provide advice when questions arise.
Creating a living will is an essential part of end-of-life planning, as it ensures that your wishes for medical care are respected and reduces the burden on your loved ones. If you need assistance in creating a living will or have any questions about end-of-life planning, seek professional guidance from an estate planning attorney. Williams Law Firm, LLC’s estate planning attorneys are here to help.
