What is a Living Will and Why Do I Need One?
Posted by Plyler, Long & Corigliano, LLP | Estate Planning, Wills & Estates
A Living Will deals with your wishes about your end-of-life medical care. A living will also be known as an advanced directive, is an important estate planning document that aids your family in understanding your wishes at the end of your life.
What is a Living Will?
A living will provides instructions regarding your end of life care to your health care providers.
It instructs your doctors whether you want to withhold life-prolonging care in certain situations and die a natural death. If you suffer an irreversible condition that will soon result in death, if you are unconscious and it is unlikely you will ever regain consciousness or if you are suffering from advanced dementia and any loss in your cognitive ability is irreversible, your Living Will authorizes health care providers to withhold artificial life support.
Why do I Need a Living Will?
If you do not have a living will, your loved ones may face the added stress of making these choices for you in an already stressful situation. Having one gives your loved ones the peace of mind of knowing that you have a plan in place to receive the treatment that you want or don’t want. Additionally, it can ensure that your family will not be put in the position of making the gut-wrenching end of life decisions on your behalf. This reduces stress and can help to avoid family conflicts over your care.
The lawyers at Plyler, Long & Corigliano, LLP, the expert attorneys in Monroe, NC, have over 110 years of combined experience writing living wills for North Carolina families. We can help you think through what your desires are for end of life care and ensure that your wishes are properly documented.