 |
A living will is a document which outlines very specific medical instructions concerning how you would like your artificial life support handled if you ever find yourself dependent upon it. When an individual is in a coma or a vegetative state whether due to a terminal illness or an accident, he or she is completely incapacitated and unable communicate. At that point, it's too late to tell family and caregivers his or her desires for medical care. People can be kept alive for years by today's extraordinarily effective life support systems, even if their brain no longer functions or they are in constant pain. A Maryland living will lets you decide now, as a competent adult, what you would like to happen if you find yourself in that situation.
While many people put off estate planning until after they are established and have an actual estate to plan for, you already possess the very thing that is handled by living wills - your body. And as proven in the case of Terri Schiavo, there is no age minimum. The accident leading to her debated state happened when she was only in her mid-twenties.
A LegalZoom living will includes provisions to designate a health care agent; granting another person power of attorney for health care. Check out LegalZoom's free, online legal library for more information about health care agents.
LegalZoom can help you take control of your vital health care decisions quickly and easily. Simply fill out our free, online questionnaire and get your own, customized Maryland living will in three easy steps.
|
| |
