How Living Wills Can Protect Your Life

In recent years there has been much talk about living wills. Unlike living trusts, which are used to hold and distribute a person’s assets upon his or her death, this legal document informs healthcare providers and family members of your desires for medical treatment if you are ever unable to speak on your own behalf. Because potentially life threatening ailments are more common than ever before, it is recommended that all individuals consider one to protect his or her medical interests.

What You Need to Know about Living Wills

Before you run out to get your hands on “one of those living wills,” it is a good idea to know a little bit more about them. This type of document is meant to indicate which treatments you do or don’t want applied in the event that you either suffer from an illness that is deemed terminal, or you have an accident or other unfortunate circumstance that leaves you in a permanent vegetative state.

For instance, if you suffer from a stroke that leaves you permanently and profoundly brain damaged, you will have been able to predetermine whether the doctors should leave you in your condition or “pull the plug.” If you decide that being brain damaged is no way for you to live then you would simply indicate in your document how you feel the doctors should handle this situation, which alleviates your family from having to make the decision.

However, if you don’t want to make the decision yourself – or simply don’t know what circumstances to consider in your document – you can also acquire a durable healthcare power of attorney, which is a legal document giving someone else the authority to make your healthcare decisions in the event that you become incapacitated. Of course, the person that you choose to handle the healthcare power of attorney should be someone you trust with your life – literally. This person should absolutely have your best interests at heart and want to serve out your wishes exactly as you see fit.

Where to Get Living Wills

One of the most common places to secure legal documentation such as this is with an attorney skilled in this area. Many times, if you are working with an estate attorney to plan how you will distribute your property and assets upon your death, you can also get one drafted at that time. However, there are also websites that will charge you hundreds less than an attorney for the same paperwork. Some sites have attorneys that review the documents before they are mailed out to the customer. You simply need to make sure you research to find that site you can trust before acting.

If protecting your medical interests with living wills is something you’re interested pursuing, you should speak with an attorney or visit an online resource to get yours started today.

A living will can protect your life. Find out how here.

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