An Extensive Guide To Living Will
You have already heard about what a last will and testament is; a document used to divide your assets after your death. Unlike a last will and testament, the things written down in a living will are carried out while you are still alive but no longer able to make your decisions. This article explains how to write a living will and what its purpose is.
What is a living will?
A living will is a legal document in which you specify exactly what you want to happen to you if you become incapable of making decisions. It is very different from your last will or testament because you are still alive.
With a living will, people think they can wait and that they have time, but so many unexpected events can happen in which your family will be in pain, and on top of that, they will have to make your medical decisions for you.
Why should you write a living will?
A living will serve as a guide for your healthcare providers. This helps your family members by not having to make heartbreaking decisions and avoids disputes between members. This way, no decision will be made in an emotional way, and each one will be well-considered.
How do you write a living will?
How do you write a living will?
Writing a living will depend on the state you live in. You will need to fill out your state’s requirements for your living will to be valid, but if you are someone who moves from state to state, make sure your living will is valid in those states as well. Follow these steps to write a general living will:
1. See a doctor
This step may be easier if you have a family doctor because they already know your medical history. This time it is not about a problem you have, but about a problem, you might have in the future. The doctor will tell you about the different procedures and options available to you in different cases, and they can also advise you on what is better for you.
2. Choice of treatment
Then you come to the hardest part, decision making. Not every treatment will be suitable for your body; you need to remember that your body will certainly be very weakened, and you should consider whether you want to undergo harsh treatment again. Decide what’s your priority; treatment, or comfort, and make sure you communicate this clearly to the people who will read the document.
3. Talk to your loved ones
It is better to talk to the people you have specified in your living will and tell them your wishes. This takes the pressure off them to make a decision in a moment of grief.
4. Name one person
An Extensive Guide To Living Will
Even though you will make most decisions through your will, there are certain things that cannot be arranged, and you need to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. This person will act as your representative, so you need to choose them wisely.
This person is known as your health care proxy, which is someone who can make medical decisions on your behalf. This may be mentioned in your living will or be part of another document.
This person will be the first to be contacted if any problems arise. This can be anyone: a friend, a family member, your spouse, or a colleague – you are free to choose them. Remember that you can change the health care proxy at any time.
Writing a living will is an important job that takes a lot of time, and you want to do it as stress-free as possible. Part two of this blog will tell you what to include in your living will so be sure to read it. Let us know in the comments what you think about writing a living will.
