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My family knows my healthcare wishes so why do I need a living will?
 

A living will is a valuable document for both you and your family members. It puts in writing your exact directions for your end-of-life care which will not only give you piece of mind, but it takes the burden off of family members in making difficult decisions. Often times family members can be at odds making those decisions not only difficult, but contentious.
 

Evashavik Law, LLC employs a multi-purpose document called a Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney. The first part of this document allows you to name a healthcare agent to make general healthcare decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so. For example, if you are rendered unconscious from a car accident or a fall, your agent can make the decision for you to have surgery or not. The second part of this document is what is traditionally called a Living Will. This is where you state how you want to be treated when you have reached an end-of-life stage. Will you want tube feedings, will you want extraordinary measures taken to keep you alive, will you want to be on any form of life support, etc.

Once the document has been signed you will be able to make copies of it to provide to your agents, other family members and your PCP so that if and when the time comes, your end-of-life wishes will be known and followed. This certainly does not take away the pain and grief of this stage of life from you or your family members, but it allows for an honest dialogue of how you want to be treated.
 

Call us so that we can discuss your options and help facilitate this difficult but much needed conversation.