Living Wills

Illness, severe injury and death are unpleasant subjects, not easy to think about and talk about. But no matter how delicate and unpleasant the subject, it is vitally important to be prepared in advance so that you will receive the kind – or extent – of medical treatment you want. That is why a Living Will is so important.

A good place to begin your Living Will is by having a serious talk with your family, your close friends and your doctor. And the best approach is to discuss these matters in a reassuring and factual manner. This important discussion should include your philosophy about health care and the things you would want done in certain situations. In case your wishes are opposed by your immediate family and/or friends, you should consider selecting or appointing someone more in line with your point of view as your health care surrogate. In this way, you will be assured that your surrogate will make decisions that are in accordance with your wishes.

On the other hand, if you want to speak to your family or friends about their creating a Living Will, be sure to prepare a good explanation for why a Living Will is important. You should put in plain words the importance of planning ahead and how a Living Will would be of assistance in a very bad situation.

Without Living Wills, families are torn apart and wrecked emotionally while trying to reach a consensus about what is best for their seriously ill loved one. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so each adult, young and old, should prepare for the possibility of someone having to make critical health care decisions for them.

Taking Care of the Paperwork:

Since a Living Will is a legally binding document, be sure everything is in writing. And in the event you move to another state, check to be sure your Living Will is legal in your new state. Each state has its own laws regarding Living Wills so the laws in one state may be different in another state.

Many times you can obtain the proper forms through your doctor or health care provider and you can also visit various sites on the Internet to procure state-specific forms, complete with instructions on how to properly fill them out. In addition, a variety of organizations – such as the National Hospital and Palliative Care Organization – offers appropriate Living Will forms that are free of charge.

Then again, if you don’t mind paying attorney fees, you may seek advice from an attorney about this matter. This can be a wise move, especially if you have plans of moving to another state – with a different set of rules concerning such legal documents.

Once you have completed your Living Will, provide copies to your immediate family members, friends, and family doctor. If you have appointed your own health care surrogate, don’t forget to furnish him or her with a copy.

Never keep you Living Will in a safety deposit box. Doing so only makes it more difficult for your loved ones to get your Living Will when the need arises.