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Should You Consider a Living Will?



Background and Characteristics of the Living Will

The living will is, at least in part, a response to medical advancements made in the 20th century. In earlier times, people typically died at home in the company of family. During the 20th century, however, medical science advanced to the point where it could extend life under many circumstances that had formerly been fatal. In some cases, such as with kidney dialysis and various organ transplants, the treatments could significantly extend life while allowing patients to remain alert and active in many of the activities they had always enjoyed. Other treatments, however, left patients in a much more limited condition, keeping the body alive, but unable to restore movement or brain activity. This condition has been called a "persistent vegetative state" -- the person is alive, in the way a plant is alive, but cannot move, speak or exhibit any signs of cognitive activity.



What is a Living Will?




Would You Benefit from a Living Will?


The living will is just one form of planning for the end of life. It supplements a regular will, which becomes effective at death. In a sense, a living will is insurance against the frustration of the regular will, as it serves to prevent the will's creator from being sustained on the brink of death as the assets that would otherwise pass through the will are drained on medical expenses. To fully protect yourself, and to ensure that the property and real estate you have worked a lifetime to acquire serve the purposes you intend, it is best to prepare a living will and an estate plan to be followed after death. To make sure that your full intent is accurately conveyed, it is wise to have a qualified attorney draft your living will.

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Next Steps
Contact a qualified estate planning attorney to help you ensure
that your wishes are honored.
(e.g., Chicago, IL or 60611)

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