Four Reasons Why You Should Include a Living Will in Your Estate Plan
Every adult in New Jersey should have an estate plan. Proper estate planning is about more than just writing a will. It is about ensuring that your health needs are met no matter what tomorrow might bring. A living will is a key estate planning document. Here, our Monmouth County living will attorney highlights four reasons why you should include one as part of your estate plan.
What is a Living Will?
The National Institute on Aging explains that a living will is a “legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.” Described another way, a living will is an estate planning tool that you can use to outline your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you are unable to communicate your decisions yourself. In most cases, it will specifically address end-of-life care.
Four Reasons You Should Draft a Living Will
- Confirm End-of-Life Care Wishes are Followed
You can use a living will to make decisions regarding end-of-life care. In many cases, people lack the mental capacity to make their own medical decisions at the very end of their life. A living will provides clear instructions about your end-of-life care, ensuring that your healthcare providers honor your wishes regarding treatments and interventions. By documenting your preferences, you maintain control over your medical care even when you cannot speak up.
- Maintain Right to Refuse Certain Medical Treatments
You are not required to submit to medical treatments against your desires. With a living will, you can specify which medical treatments and life-sustaining measures you want to decline. Two of the most common examples include mechanical ventilation or artificial nutrition. A living will can be used to confirm your right-to-refuse in a legally binding manner.
- Take the Stress Away From Your Loved Ones
Drafting a living will relieves your family members of the burden of making difficult medical decisions on your behalf during emotional times. It provides them with guidance and clarity regarding your health care preferences. The simple reality is that the end of a family member’s life is deeply emotionally challenging. Clarity during hard times can relieve a lot of pressure.
- Reduce Potential Conflict Between Family Members
Finally, a living will can actually go a long way towards reducing conflict between loved ones. It will clearly state your medical wishes in writing in a legally enforceable form. You can minimize the risk of misunderstandings and conflicts within the family.
Get Help With Your Living Will Today from Our New Jersey Estate Planning Law Firm
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey estate planning lawyers are committed to providing top-tier guidance and support to clients. If you have any specific questions about living wills, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Initial consultations are always strictly confidential. We handle estate planning matters in Monmouth County and all across New Jersey.
