Unless you want your spouse or your children to make a lot of very difficult decisions during a difficult time, you should have a living will in place.
A living will provides instructions about how you want to be cared for at the end of your life. It allows you to convey your wishes regarding life support and comfort care decisions during a time when you may be unable to do so. It also spares loved ones from having to guess at what you wanted.
The (St. George UT) Spectrum’s recent article, “How to Make a Living Will,” explains that to adequately detail your wishes concerning your end-of-life medical treatment, you should have two legal documents: a living will that tells your physicians what kind of care you want to receive, if you become incapacitated; and a health care power of attorney. The health care power of attorney designates health care agent(s) you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf, if you become incapacitated. These documents are only used if you are unable to make medical decisions yourself. These documents can be changed and updated if you choose to name different health care agents or if you wish to communicated different instructions to your agents. It’s recommended that you have these documents prepared by an attorney who focuses their practice on estate planning.
Some individuals may also choose to sign a Do-Not-Resuscitate Order (DNR) as part of their health care documents. Individuals who choose this course do so because an advanced directive doesn’t protect you from unwanted emergency care, like CPR. Doctors and hospitals in all states accept a DNR. To create a DNR, ask your physician to complete a form that’s accepted in your state and sign it. Make sure to tell friends and family where it is located, if the time comes that it is needed.
To be certain that your final wishes are followed, make sure that you have a conversation with your physician, family members, and healthcare team, so they all are informed of your expectations.
You should provide copies of your advanced directives and health care documents to all those involved, to help prevent stress and arguments when the time comes.
If yours is a tech-savvy family, you may want to consider the use of an online service that stores your advance directive and health care documents, so that anyone with access to the account can obtain the right document instantly when needed. Either, be certain that everyone has log in information, or make sure that you carry a wallet card informing health care providers and first responders of the existence of these documents and how to gain access to them.
Contact the Soto Law Firm today to discuss your options and how the creation and implementation of this planning can provide you with the peace of mind you desire.
Reference: The (St. George UT) Spectrum (June 11, 2018) “How to Make a Living Will”
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