What Is A Living Will?
A living will, also known as an advance care directive, is a document that details what types of medical care you wish to receive if you are ever incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes. Having a living will takes much of the pressure of decision-making off of your loved ones, who would likely be feeling overwhelmed and may not know what you would want.
Not to be confused with a last will and testament or living trust, a living will deals only with the actual person. A living trust addresses the property and assets of an incapacitated person, while a last will and testament specifies what will become of those assets after a person has passed away.
To create a plan for what should happen to you if unforeseen circumstances arise, contact the skilled attorneys at Vinsko & Associates, P.C.
Who Needs A Living Will?
You might think about a living will as something needed by those who have reached an advanced age or those with serious health conditions. However, every adult should consider creating a living will.
Although we do not like to think about the prospect of accidents or other emergency health situations, the truth is that anyone, regardless of age, can have a sudden change of health that leaves them unable to make decisions about their health care.
No matter what your current age or health, talking with a living will attorney in Wilkes-Barre will give you peace of mind knowing what will happen if you are ever unable to make your own medical decisions.
What Is Included In A Living Will?
A living will provides specific directions on what type of care you do and do not want to receive if you are ever unconscious or otherwise unable to communicate your wishes for your health care.
A living will addresses life-sustaining measures such as CPR, ventilator use, feeding tubes and IV fluids for hydration. The document also addresses pain management, both in terms of life-sustaining pain management and pain management instead of life-sustaining care.
As a part of your living will, you may also choose to appoint a health care proxy. This is the person who will be responsible for making any health care decisions that are not specifically addressed in the living will.
Family members often disagree over health care decisions, so appointing one person to make the decisions can be helpful. Before meeting with one of our attorneys, be sure the person you select is willing to be your health care proxy.
Who Should I Talk To About My Living Will?
Talk to family and anyone who will be involved in your care in the case that you should become incapacitated. Your loved ones may have questions or ideas of what to include in your living will that you had not considered.
Consult with your physician about how your current health conditions should influence what you include in your living will. Even if you do not have any underlying health conditions, your family history may give some insight as to what could be helpful to include in your living will.
Have More Questions? Contact Us For Knowledgeable Answers And Guidance.
Call Vinsko & Associates, P.C., to meet with an experienced living will attorney in Wilkes-Barre so you can formulate a plan to give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Call us at 570-410-8723 or reach out online.