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A Living Will is a written, legally binding document that states your intentions and wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures in the event you are terminally ill, in an end-stage condition, or in a persistent vegetative state. The Living Will must be in writing and signed in the presence of two witnesses at least one of whom is not a spouse or blood relative.

When you create a Living Will, you are making a written statement of what you want to happen if you are not able to make your own health care decisions. This allows you to have a voice even when you may not be able to speak, and it offers peace of mind knowing that your desires will be followed when the end of your life is near.

Avoid Unnecessary Treatments

A Living Will allows you to outline plans for the use of artificial life support methods and may help you avoid unnecessary treatments and costs.

Less Stress for Your Family and Loved Ones

A loved one or family member will have to weigh the difficult decision of whether to sustain or remove life support without a Living Will. This document reduces the stress on your family and loved ones by making your preferences clear. Without a Living Will, a loved one or family member will have to weigh the difficult decision of whether to sustain or remove life support. By communicating your preferences, your values, and your beliefs, you can ease this burden.

If your family members have opposing views regarding your care, a Living Will along with a Designation of Health Care Surrogate will help avoid potential conflicts. You can also help reduce the financial burden and the guilt associated with making a decision to stop treatment.

You Can Change It Any Time

Typically, you are able to revoke a Living Will by destroying it or writing a new one. Knowing that it can be changed at any time can help relieve the pressure of writing the first draft. Furthermore, if your spouse is included as an agent, a divorce automatically revokes their authority, but a better step is to update the legal document following the divorce.

If you’re unsure how to begin writing a Living Will and your other Advance Directives, the team at Rooth & Rooth Elder Law Attorneys can help you through the process. We are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate elder law services to clients in the Seminole, FL area. Contact us today at 727-397-4768 to schedule a consultation.