What is a Living Will and Why Should You Have One?

 

A living will is a legal document that states the type of medical care you wish to receive during circumstances in which you are no longer able to express informed consent.

 

Many people believe that a living will is something they will not need until later in life. After all, why think about medical conditions when they don’t exist? This line of reasoning is incorrect and must be debunked. Life can be very unpredictable, to say the least, and unfortunate medical emergencies can happen to anyone at any age.

 

Here are 3 reasons why you should consider making out a living will regardless of your age:

 

  1. A living will provides peace of mind that you will be in control of medical decisions even if you are incapable of communicating your wishes. Many people do not want to relinquish that control at any stage in their lives. Without a living will in place, medical professionals, your family, even the government, will have the final say over what happens to you. A living will supersedes any of those external decision makers and keeps matters of life and death in your hands.

 

  1. In times of medical crises, everyone’s emotions run higher than normal. These situations may be difficult to handle and process, leading to friction among family members and/or undesirable and costly court orders. A living will, however, can help mitigate the stress and tension by identifying your personal wishes and giving instructions how to proceed in different medical situations. It may even prevent potential guilt of people making a critical decision on your behalf.

 

  1. The medical bills that pile up as a result of a catastrophic medical event can be staggering. Seemingly routine lab work or essential life-saving treatments lead to tens of thousands of dollars in bills that may or may not be covered by insurance. A living will specifies exactly what type of procedures and life support you want under certain circumstances, potentially saving your family or estate the overwhelming financial burden that can impact them for the rest of their lives.

 

In many ways a living will is just as important as having a last will and testament. Your countenance right now demands that you may an informed decision before you are unable.

 

Please contact the Aibara Reed Law Group at (877) 311-7149 or email us at blake@arlawgrp.com if we can assist you in preparing your living will or for any other legal need.

 

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