A living will, sometimes also referred to as a health care directive, is a powerful and helpful tool that can assist both your family members and medical physicians when it comes to making end of life decisions on your behalf.
A living will is a document where you can state your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment should you face a terminal condition or be placed in a state of permanent unconsciousness.
A living will allows you to indicate whether you would or would not want specific medical interventions such as cardiac resuscitation, feeding tube, chemotherapy, and several other medical interventions. A living will also allows you to decide whether you would or would not like to make an organ donation of all or part of your body at death.
In addition to outlining specific medical wishes, a living will allows you to designate an individual of your choosing to make medical decisions for you, should you be unable, rather than allowing the law to decide who makes those decisions on your behalf. Once a living will is created, it can be used to ensure your wishes and desires are upheld, providing guidance to your loved ones and physicians about your medical wishes.
Having this document can provide peace of mind to your family, knowing that you have previously decided and outlined your wishes as such. A copy of this document can also be stored within your medical record at your physician’s office to ensure it is accessible if and when needed.
If you have any questions about the topic discussed in this video, or any estate law matter, please give us a call at Bononi & Company 724-832-2499.