A living will is a legal document that lets you outline your healthcare preferences in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes. If you do not have a living will and want to put one together, or you want to update a living will you already have in place, at The Law Offices of Kayce C. Staehle, we can help with this.
Before we start that process, however, there are a few things you should know about living wills:
- The purpose of living wills — A living will specifies which medical treatments you do and do not want if you are facing a terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. These documents can override decisions like life support and organ donation, for example.
- Living wills are different from a last will and testament — Unlike a last will, which distributes your property after death, a living will focuses on healthcare decisions during your lifetime. These documents guide healthcare providers and family members on how to act in the event of a serious medical condition.
- You can update or revoke a living will — Living wills are not set in stone. You can update or revoke your living will at any time, as long as you are mentally capable.
- Legal requirements vary — The requirements for creating a living will vary by state. We are familiar with these legal requirements and can help you create a legally binding living will that protects your wishes.