Tough Decisions Require a Living Will

    That moment when the doctor comes out of the operating room with your loved one and says "We need to talk" is when you need a living will in place. Living Wills are the life-jackets of estate planning documents. They can sometimes be uncomfortable but are absolutely necessary. When life throws you in the deep end, this is the document that you want in place, signed and notarized to guide your loved ones.

    A living will lays out how you feel about life support, pain medication, end of life care, artificial hydration and nutrition. It is basically an instruction manual for your health care power of attorney (the person who makes decisions for you if you are unable to). 

     A living will takes the guesswork out of tough decisions. When emotions are running high, your child or parents may not remember what you told them about life support. To have a living will, also known as an advance directive, in place is essential and a very thoughtful thing to do for your family.

This article should not be construed as legal advice. Situations are different and it’s impossible to provide legal advice for every situation without knowing the individual facts.