Wondering what a living will is? You’re probably about to embark on a journey of creating an estate plan. Often times, a living will is one of the many documents used to create a comprehensive estate plan.
WHAT IS A LIVING WILL?
You might think a living will is exactly what it sounds like, a will that you create while you’re alive. But a living will (also called an “advance health care directive”) is actually a document where you can outline your wishes and desires when it comes to healthcare, especially in an event where you aren’t able to communicate those directions yourself.
A living will can give healthcare providers an idea of your preferred treatment. Directives in a living will might include:
- Life-Prolonging Treatments
- Blood transfusions
- CPR
- Dialysis
- Medicines
- Surgery
- Pain Relief
- Also known as palliative care
- Even if you do not want any life-prolonging treatments, you still might want to be pain-free and comfortable
- Artificial Feeding
- Would you want to receive food and water (artificially) indefinitely?
- Pregnancy
- A living will can provide different instructions based on whether or not you are pregnant
- Do Not Resuscitate Orders
- Notifies providers not to administer CPR
WHAT IS A LIVING WILLS LAWYER?
With so many online and DIY options for creating trusts, wills, etc., do you even need a living wills lawyer?
The short answer is- of course! It is not required by law, but unless you are a practicing lawyer yourself, there are many good reasons to consider hiring one. Specifically, you should search out an estate planning or probate attorney. These lawyers will be experienced and knowledgeable with the ins and outs of the estate planning and probate processes, and that includes creating a legally binding living will.
WHAT DOES A LIVING WILLS LAWYER DO?
There are many varied aspects to creating a living will and they differ from person to person. A living wills lawyer should take the time to learn about their client before suggesting what sort of living will would be best. Common topics of discussion include:
- Marital Status
- Family Members
- Occupation
- Financial Situation
- Assets
- Health Status
Living Wills are often paired with other estate planning documents, including:
- Last Will and Testament
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
Hiring the right lawyer can help relieve the stress and complications that may arise from creating a living will and other estate planning documents.
For more information regarding living wills and any of your other estate planning needs, contact an Estate Planning Lawyer Phoenix, Arizona trusts from Kamper & Estrada, PLLC. Our goal is to put your family and your affairs in the best position possible—both during life and in the future. Call us today!
