A Living Will is also sometimes known as an advance medical directive. This is a written expression of your end-of-life care wishes. Living Wills cover subjects such as do-not-resuscitate orders, artificial hydration and nutrition, and organ donation. Expressing your wishes on these sensitive topics avoids the need for loved ones and your doctor to make a hard decision on their own. It also reduces the risk of a legal battle if family members are divided on the topic.
How Do Living Wills Work?
Living Wills are usually fairly short documents. Certain sections of the document cover what healthcare providers and family members should do if the Declarant (person making the Living Will) has a terminal condition for which there is no reasonable likelihood of recovery. A common situation for this is if someone is in a vegetative state after a major accident.
The Living Will clearly states what the person’s wishes are in this scenario. Should attending physicians provide artificial nutrition and hydration? Should providers administer pain medication? How many physicians need to determine there is no reasonable likelihood of recovery?
Living Wills generally answer these types of questions.
The document can also provide instructions about organ donation and burial. One may make a specific anatomical donation for a variety of causes, such as for scientific research, transplantation, or higher education.
What is the Purpose of Living Wills?
The main idea behind the Living Will is to make a very difficult decision ahead of time. This removes the burden family members who may otherwise have to make such a decision. It also reduces the likelihood of conflict regarding a course of treatment.
Conflict in this particular area has led to high-profile legal battles in the past, such as Terri Schiavo’s situation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Living Will also runs in tandem with the Power of Attorney for Healthcare. Sometimes the POA and Living Will are in one comprehensive Advance Directive, sometimes they are separate. But both are part of a plan to clearly designate who has authority to make important healthcare decisions, as well as what decisions have been made ahead of time.
Create Your Living Will with Connell Law, PLLC
Connell Law, PLLC assists residents of Rutherford County and the surrounding area with setting up Living Wills. Contact us today to request a consultation.