A Living Will Can Prevent Indecision During A Health Crisis
A time may come when you are unconscious and doctors and family members will need to make difficult decisions about your health care. Should you be resuscitated? Should your life be prolonged through artificial methods? Should you be given surgery, blood transfusions, a feeding tube, or other drastic therapeutic interventions?
However unpleasant it may be to imagine a future time of crisis, we need to be realistic and understand that many families face agonizing scenarios of these types.
What If You Have No Living Will And No Way To Communicate?
Without your clear instructions, family members may argue among themselves about what you would want. Doctors and family members may be at odds. Health care providers may order costly tests or procedures that you would not want if you could speak up.
Is there a better way? Yes. A living will allows you to spell out ahead of time your preferences for medical treatments if you are unable to express your wishes. A living will can be the most loving gift you can prepare for your family before it is ever needed.
A living will (also called an advance directive) may work together with a health care power of attorney, but they are not the same thing. Your living will can specify what kinds of treatments you would want or not want. (See our “Estate Planning FAQ” page for more discussion on living wills.) A health care power of attorney names a person who will have the ability to ask for or refuse medical interventions. The living will can help a designated person make informed decisions without regrets.
Request A Consultation To Discuss Your Options
Bogutz & Gordon, PC, is well-equipped to help you create a living will. We believe in clear communication with clients considering living wills. If we handle your estate planning, we pledge to listen well and explain things clearly. We will never pressure you to pay for more estate planning services than you want to spend.
Explore ways to pave the way for future decisions about health care when you are unable to speak up. Call 520-900-5825.