Why Do I Need a Living Will? Let’s Find Out!
Some people are not familiar with advance care planning and do not understand what a living will is, how they can create this document, or how much it costs.
Why do I need a living will in the first place? This article gives you the answer and presents an effective product that can help you draft this document.
What Is a Living Will?
A living will is a document that you should create to specify your preferences for end-of-life health care treatments you would (not) want to receive.
This legal document is often associated with the following forms:
- Health care power of attorney (POA)—While you can supplement your living will with a medical POA, you should get familiar with the difference between these two documents
- Advance health care directive—In some states, an advance directive form consists of different sections, including a living will, organ donation, and medical POA or health care proxy
Keep in mind that while a living will is a legal document, you don’t have to hire a lawyer to draft one for you.
Why Do You Need a Living Will?
The following table presents some of the reasons why creating a living will is a good choice:
| Why Do I Need a Living Will? | Details |
|---|---|
| Protect yourself | A living will can protect you in situations when you cannot communicate your preferences for medical care on your own. This document:
|
| Prevent disputes | Since a living will conveys your decisions, it can:
|
| Control medical expenses | If you are in a coma or vegetative state, you cannot evaluate the potential costs of life-prolonging medical procedures. Drafting a living will could:
|
Keep in mind that, in case you do not have a living will but have a valid medical power of attorney, your health care agent will make decisions regarding your end-of-life medical treatments.
How To Create a Living Will
Since U.S. states have different regulations regarding living wills, POAs, and advance directives, you should start by checking your state legislation.
You also need to ensure your living will:
- Fulfills legal requirements for notarization and the number of witnesses
- Is updated or revoked if you decide to amend or terminate the document at any time
- Covers all necessary elements, including:
- Standard and specific directions about health care procedures
- Anatomical gift decisions, i.e., whether you would like to donate your body or certain organs after your death
- Palliative care preferences
- Religious and spiritual considerations
Sign up for DoNotPay to make sure your living will includes all key segments and meets legal requirements.
Create an Airtight Living Will With DoNotPay
Our AI-powered app is familiar with:
- All state laws and suitable advance directive, power of attorney, and living will forms
- The difference between a POA and health care proxy and a living will and health care proxy
That is why DoNotPay can help you draft a reliable living will tailored to your specific needs.
Once you are ready to put your health care wishes in writing, subscribe to DoNotPay and:
- Find the Advance Health Care Directive product
- Provide a detailed explanation of your medical preferences
- Enter details about your health care agent and witnesses
As soon as you complete the above-listed steps, DoNotPay:
- Sends you a living will you can download and print
- Offers to connect you with an online notary (if your state requires you to have the document notarized)
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