Living Will
A Living Will is vital in bringing out your end of life
decisions. If at any point you’re unable to
communicate your wishes or a doctor
has diagnosed you as being incapable of doing so, a Living Will allows your
family and physicians to make sure your own personal choices are being
respected.
When to Use a Living Will:
- You want to stipulate your needs so that it is more probable they will be carried out.
- You are facing the prospect of operation or a hospitalization.
- You want to make a comprehensive estate plan.
- You have been diagnosed with a incurable illness.
The Difference Between a Living Will from a Power of
Attorney:
A living will and a durable healthcare Power of Attorney
allow you to choose someone you trust to make certain medical decisions on your
behalf. You must be at least 18 to create either document or you must be of
sound mind. That means no one is allowed to coerce you into making a living
will or healthcare power of attorney.
The main difference between the two is that a living will is generally
limited to deathbed concerns only, a durable power of attorney for healthcare
covers all health care decisions. It lasts only as long as you are incapable of
making decisions for yourself.
Since a living will generally covers very specific issues
like “DNR” (or “do not resuscitate”), it may not deal with other important
medical concerns you might have. For example, some people may want to refuse
dialysis or blood transfusion, and those sorts of concerns can be directly
articulated in a healthcare power of attorney. This is why it’s often a great idea
to have both documents in your estate plan.
Who can be appointed to be Living Will agent?
In New Jersey, this person will have to be a legal adult,
aged 18 or over, and this person will have to act in accordance with your
wishes. Make sure whoever you chose can
carry put your wishes without putting their believe systems first.
Other estate planning documents you may need:
Last Will and Testament
Power of Attorney
Advance Healthcare Directive
Do you need a Living Will? Contact us at (201) 880-5563. . We are conveniently located in Hackensack NJ near the Bergen County Court House.
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