Why a Living Will is Essential - Living Will Essential

Why a Living Will is Essential Why Are Living Wills Important

A living will form is the only way to ensure your wishes for medical care and artificial life support are respected if you're unable to communicate. Living wills, also called advance directives, can also save your family and loved ones from unnecessary grief in a difficult situation. The highly publicized Terry Schiavo case, and all the legal wrangling and delay involved because she hadn't used a template for living will, illustrates this point.

An advance health care directive is governed by state laws, which vary by state. That's why it's important to use state-specific living will forms that comply with the laws of your particular state. By having the proper template for living will or advance health care directive, you can have peace of mind that your medical treatment preferences are followed. They can also save your family and loved ones undue burden under stressful circumstances. It's now affordable and easy to download and complete our state-specific, professionally designed living will forms.

What is an Advance Directive? Why Living Wills Are Important

Many wonder "what is a living will" because of all the confusion surrounding a living will vs will. A will vs living will are entirely separate documents, with different purposes. A last will is used to distribute your estate after your death. Living wills or advance directives are used to let medical professionals know your preferences regarding being kept on life support, as well as other treatment preferences, if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious and unable to communicate. Often, an advance health directive is combined with a medical power of attorney, which appoints a health care proxy to express your wishes contained in your living will form.

What is a Health Proxy?

Living will forms or a medical power of attorney can appoint a trusted individual to communicate your preferences and make decisions regarding medical treatment when you are unable to do so for yourself. After you appoint a healthcare proxy, this person is obligated to follow the instructions you set down for medical treatment and life support.

We don't like to think about issues like these, but since none of us are bulletproof, we all need to be prepared in case of an illness or accident. Don't stick your head in the sand and delay protecting yourself and your loved ones.