Planning for what happens if life occurs unexpectedly can give you peace of mind that your wishes will be protected. A comprehensive estate plan is one of the most important steps to covering this aspect of your life. If your life ends unexpectedly, a living will could make things much easier for your loved ones.
A recent study from Gallup found that less than half of all adults across the United States have created a living will and only 1/3 of people in their 30s or 40s have created one. It is best to be specific throughout your estate plan and your living will is no exception.
A living will is a legal written document that spells out the medical treatments you would or would not want to be used to keep you alive. This might also be referred to as an advance directive. Advanced directives guide choices for caregivers and doctors if you are in a coma, in the later stages of dementia, seriously injured or are terminally ill.
Many people are under the impression that advanced directives are only for older adults, but unexpected end of life situations can occur at any point in your life, and you’ll want to avoid unnecessary confusion or suffering for your caregivers by relieving their decision-making burdens during this time. This is especially important if you have specific wishes about what you do and do not want to receive. Document this with the help of an experienced attorney in Pasadena.
