Thinking about death is not always easy, especially when one is still relatively young and in good health. However, planning for what happens at the end of one’s life is just as important as planning for what happens after. This is why a complete estate plan should always include a living will.
What is a living will?
A living will allows a person to document his or her wishes for end-of-life care. Georgians often use this document to detail which treatments they are comfortable with, and which treatments they would like to avoid. Some of the more commonly addressed treatments are those that are used to extend life, such as:
- Resuscitation
- Ventilators
- Feeding tubes
It is not enough to simply assume that a spouse, child or loved one will be permitted to make decisions should one become incapacitated. This is why a health care power of attorney usually accompanies a living will. This document gives a designated person the legal right to make medical decisions on another’s behalf. He or she should also have access to the living will.
Everyone in Georgia deserves to have the best possible end of life care that corresponds with their wishes. One of the most effective ways to make sure that one’s wishes are truly upheld and respected is to create a living will and assign a trustworthy health care power of attorney. This is only one small step in the estate planning process though, so it may be worthwhile to explore what other options are available.