Contact Us Today! 770-425-6060

Blog and Videos

Estate Planning: Living wills and healthcare proxies

Posted by Steve Worrall | Apr 04, 2008

Estate Planning: Living wills and healthcare proxies

Making your medical wishes known now can save a lot of heartache later.

A living will (also known as an advance medical directive) is a statement of your wishes for the kind of life-sustaining medical intervention you want, or don't want, in the event that you become terminally ill and unable to communicate.

Most states have living will statutes that define when a living will goes into effect (for example, when a person has less than six months to live). State law may also restrict the medical interventions to which such directives apply.

Your condition and the terms of your directive also will be subject to interpretation. Different institutions and doctors may come to different conclusions.

As a result, in some instances a living will may not be followed. Nevertheless, a patient's wishes are taken very seriously, and an advance medical directive is one of the best ways to have a say in your medical care when you can't express yourself otherwise.

You increase your chances of enforcing your directive when you have a healthcare agent advocating on your behalf.

You can name such an agent by way of a healthcare proxy, or by assigning what's called a medical power of attorney. You sign a legal document in which you name someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you can't do so for yourself.

A healthcare proxy applies to all instances when you're incapacitated, not just if you're terminally ill.

Choose your healthcare agent carefully. That person should be able to do three key things: understand important medical information regarding your treatment, handle the stress of making tough decisions, and keep your best interests and wishes in mind when making those decisions.

SOURCE: CNNMoney.com

About the Author

Steve Worrall

As a sandwich generation kid himself (caring for both children and aging parents), Marietta Georgia Estate Planning Elder Law & Probate Attorney Steve (Stephen M.) Worrall KNOWS the struggles you are facing as you raise children, balance the demands of your job, and take care of your aging parent...

Menu