Living wills offer Kendall residents a way to make your healthcare wishes and preferences known, even when you are incapacitated. These legal documents outline your preferences regarding medical treatments, end-of-life care, and who you want to make these critical decisions. As such, living wills are a key part of any estate plan.
A local wills attorney can explain your options, provide customized advice, and help draft a living will that reflects your wishes.
What Is a Living Will?
A living will, also referred to as an advanced directive, outlines a person’s wishes should they become unable to make their own medical decisions. This document may outline preferences for medical treatment, name a healthcare proxy, and provide guidance on end-of-life care.
To be valid, a living will in Kendall, FL must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by someone other than a spouse or blood relative. The principal (the person creating the advance directive) must be a competent adult for the directive to be legally binding.
What Should Be Included in a Living Will?
The information that should be included in an advance directive will depend on the principal’s preferences. However, there are some basic things all individuals should consider when creating their living will. First, living wills should include the person’s medical treatment preferences. This can include:
- Medical interventions like blood transfusions, surgeries, or certain medications.
- Life-sustaining treatments like CPR, feeding tubes, and dialysis.
- Palliative care preferences.
- Organ and tissue donation preferences.
Taking time to consider one’s preferences and the various interventions available can help doctors and healthcare proxies make decisions, if necessary.
Second, living wills should name a healthcare proxy and clearly define their scope of authority. Individuals will want to choose a trusted individual who is able and willing to make these decisions. A backup proxy should also be chosen. Finding time to discuss one’s healthcare wishes with their chosen proxies can also be beneficial.
Unique Circumstances or Situations
In some cases, a person may have unique circumstances that influence what is included in their advance directive. These situations may be related to a person’s health, beliefs, or family history.
For instance, a person diagnosed with a terminal illness like cancer or Alzheimer’s may want to address care specific to their disease. Other illnesses, like addiction, may also change how a person receives treatment, like narcotics. Finally, if a person has specific religious or philosophical beliefs, those beliefs should be reflected in their directives.
Who Should Have a Living Will in Kendall?
Every competent adult should have a living will. Living wills provide peace of mind and help reduce the burden on families if the principal becomes incapacitated. A well-crafted advance directive can remove ambiguity, and help proxies and providers make treatment decisions that reflect the person’s wishes and preferences.
Often, a person does not consider creating an advance directive until prompted. Typically, significant medical events trigger the creation of a living will. These may include childbirth, surgery, or diagnosis of an incapacitating or terminal illness.
Living wills should be regularly reviewed and updated, since life circumstances and treatment preferences can change. Individuals should update their wills to reflect these changes and advise their proxies of any modifications.
Contact a Kendall Attorney Today to Discuss a Living Will
Living wills in Kendall allow you to express your preferences even when you are unable to do so in the future. Understanding treatment options and what interventions you are comfortable with can help you create an advance directive that reflects your wishes.
At The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, a trusted probate lawyer can guide you through your options and create an advance directive that clearly explains your preferences. Schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about your options and get started on your estate plan.
