Canton Living Wills Lawyer
A living will is a written legal document that defines the types of treatments you wish to receive in the event that you are unable to communicate with your healthcare team. As we age, the chances of being incapacitated due to illness or injury drastically increases. But living wills (which are also called advance directives) are not just for older adults. Adults of all ages benefit from having a living will, which takes the guesswork away from their loved ones and their medical providers in the event of a tragic accident or illness. Canton living wills lawyer Law Brian S. Karpe, helps families prepare for these unforeseen events by creating comprehensive estate plans and elder care plans.
How a Living Will Works
A living will and an advance directive are the same thing: a written legal document that tells your doctors how to treat you in various circumstances. The more complete and exact the living will is, the better it will be to serve you and your family in your time of need. The basic questions that should be covered in your living will include whether you want to continue living no matter what, or if there are circumstances in which you would rather not receive treatment, i.e. if treatment means you will no longer be self-sufficient or able to care for yourself. A living will is a tool used to determine if you want to be kept alive when there is no real option of truly recovering. As such, a living will should include end of life treatment options, such the use of CPR, tube feeding, ventilation, dialysis, and various medications. The use of palliative care, as well as organ donation, should also be considered.
The Difference Between a Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney
The primary difference between a living will/advance directive and a healthcare power of attorney is that a living will is only used if your condition is considered to be permanent, in that you are terminally ill or will not regain consciousness/competency within seven days. As such, a living will is used to determine whether or not you wish to be kept alive based on the treatment options available and your condition, whereas a healthcare power of attorney can be used when the individual’s condition is not permanent. The second difference between a living will and a healthcare power of attorney is that a living will is written, while a healthcare power of attorney appoints an agent (usually a close family member) to make decisions on your behalf.
Call Canton Living Will Lawyer Today
Hopefully your living will never has to be put to use. However, in the event that you do become critically ill and incapacitated to the point that you can not make sound decisions for yourself, a living will can save your loved ones considerable grief and trauma by directing doctors what actions to take in order to extend or not extend your life. To learn more, call the Law Office of Canton living will lawyer Brian S. Karpe today at 860-217-1458 to schedule a free consultation.
