Living Wills

In the unfortunate event that you become ill or mentally incapacitated, it is important for you to have a means of expressing what medical procedures you want to be performed before you become sick. It is surprisingly easy to do so with a Living Will. When creating a Living Will, you must be of sound mind and not incapacitated.

The Need for Healthcare Directives

Living longer in the United States is a great thing; however, this has caused a number of medical problems. Some of these issues and concerns have serious legal consequences. Quite simply, one of the problems is that many Americans are living into well-advanced years and as a result, they are suffering the effects of older age.

The Operation of a Living Will

In many states, a Living Will becomes effective when it is signed, and witnessed by two witnesses. Frequently, the signature of the maker must also be notarized.

Check your state law:

The Living Will - A Sample

You might wish to click to open a sample of a Living Will in another window to follow along with this discussion. You will need Adobe Reader to open this PDF. You may download it here.

Another Living Will Sample

You might wish to click to open this sample Living Will in another window to follow along with this discussion. You will need Adobe Reader to open this PDF. You may download it here.

Preparation for a Living Will

A living will is an extremely useful document that outlines your wishes for medical treatment in the event you become incapacitated or diagnosed with a terminal illness. The main difference between a will and living will is when they each go into effect. A will only goes into effect after death while a living will goes into effect once a person becomes incapacitated before death.

Revoking a Living Will

Once you have created a living will, you can revoke it in a number of ways:

Are Living Wills Valid?

Many states recognize that their residents can make valid Living Wills. However, understand that Living Wills that are valid in your state may not be valid in every state. You should always consult an attorney to prepare documents that will be valid in your state. Contact member services to be connected to a local attorney to help you.

Designating Your Agent in Your Living Will

Quite simply, medical treatment decisions are not always easy. Such decisions almost always involve different amounts of information or knowledge, and often involve weighing the important facts of different sides of an issue. While creating a living will documents your wishes, you must also consider the person acting on your behalf.