Understanding Living Wills and Why They Are Important

 Posted on February 08, 2023 in Family Law Blog

A living will, also sometimes referred to as an advance healthcare directive, is a legal document that lays out an individual's wishes regarding their medical treatment if they are unable to make decisions for themselves. In Illinois, a living will is a document that specifies what types of medical treatments an individual would like to receive or refuse in the event of a terminal illness, persistent vegetative state, or other life-threatening conditions. 

Today, we will look at the many advantages of creating a living will while focusing on what makes them an especially important estate planning tool. If you are interested in creating a living will, do not hesitate to contact an experienced estate planning attorney who will work to ensure your rights remain protected and respected throughout the process and that your estate planning goals become a reality. 

What Makes a Living Will So Important? 

First, there may be some confusion about the differences between a regular will and a living will. A will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets will be distributed after death. A living will is a document that outlines a person's medical treatment preferences if they cannot make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity. In other words, a will deals with the distribution of property after death, while a living will deals with medical treatment during one's life. 

Living wills are important because of the following reasons:

• Makes your wishes known – A living will allows individuals to express their medical treatment preferences so their wishes are known and respected during a medical crisis. It ensures that medical professionals follow the individual's stated wishes, even if they cannot communicate those wishes themselves. 

• Avoids conflicts among family members – In the absence of a living will, family members may disagree about the medical treatment that should be provided to a loved one in a life-threatening situation. A living will help avoid such conflicts and ensure everyone is on the same page. 

• Ensures autonomy – A living will gives individuals the power to make decisions about their own medical treatment, which helps them maintain their dignity, regardless of how difficult the circumstances are.

• Helps healthcare providers – A living will provides guidance to healthcare providers on the individual's medical treatments, allowing them to make decisions based on their expressed wishes. This can help avoid confusion, reduce stress, and improve the quality of care provided. 

Contact a Lombard, IL Living Will Attorney

If you are interested in creating a living will consider contacting the astute DuPage County living will lawyers with A. Traub & Associates. Call 630-426-0196 for a private consultation.

Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303