{"id":16799,"date":"2023-01-23T21:16:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T21:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/?p=16799"},"modified":"2023-01-24T20:17:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T20:17:26","slug":"living-will","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessyield.com\/family-helping\/living-will\/","title":{"rendered":"LIVING WILL: Definition, Requirements, Templates (+How to Write Guide)","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you hear of Living will, I believe what comes to your mind is a document you use to pass on a property for your loved ones when you die. Yes, it’s absolutely true! a living will is often confused with a will. This article will give you a clear definition, requirements, templates, and a concise guide on how to write a living will. In a nutshell, opting for a living will brings peace of mind to you and to your loved ones because it explains what kind of medical care you want to receive when you are incapacitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Living Will?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, as earlier mentioned above, it is not the document you use to leave a property for your loved ones, by naming an executor, or a guardian for your children. Also as the name implies, it is not a static document. Just as your life and health status are subject to change, so will this document be. This document describes the kind of health care you want to receive if you are incapacitated. Sometimes It is often associated with a power of attorney for health care, which you will have to name an agent to make health care decisions on your behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, you can also define a living will as a written legal document or advance directive that spells out medical treatments you would and would not want to keep you alive, as well as your preferences for other medical decisions. These pain management can be pain management, terminal illness, organ donation as well as life-threatening injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in the absence of a living will, decisions about medical care would become the responsibility of the spouse, family members, or other parties. Although they might not be unaware of the patient\u2019s desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A living will only become effective when one faces a life-threatening condition. And in this state they are unable to communicate their desires for treatment. Besides doctors do not have to consult the wills for standard medical care that doesn\u2019t involve life-threatening situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Also<\/strong><\/em>: LIVING TRUST VS WILL: Best option in the US (+Major differences)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Essence of a Living Will<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are some essentials you should make out a living will<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. It Protects you when you no Longer Communicate<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This protects you in a future situation when you can no longer communicate your wishes. It makes the medical professionals in charge of treating you take charge of what happens to you once you are in a state in which you cannot communicate what you want to be done. This way of taking decisions out of their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2.  Prevents arguments between family members<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It prevents major arguments between family members if the decision is not up to the medical professionals in charge. Your family members decide how you will be treated. However, If they disagree on what should be done with you it can cause long relationship arguments between members of your family. Although I believe you would not want such arguments to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3.  It reduces potentially unwanted medical bills for your family<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many people who would rather die than live an additional unhealthy year on life-support. This is because if they are on life support it will rack up medical bills in which their family will have to pay later. Therefore, If you don’t specify this in your living will, your family will end up paying insurmountable medical bills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you Write a Living Will?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the requirements for a living will vary by state so many people hire a lawyer to prepare or write their living will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should create your living will base on the rules of your location. If you spend a lot of time in more than one state, you should double-check to make sure your will is valid in your second state as well. Most states do accept living wills from other states as long as the document is valid in the state in which it was created, so it is important to check when your living will is created. Here are few steps on how to write a living will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n