Thinking about end-of-life and terminal medical conditions can be incredibly emotional and challenging.
But putting a plan in place can help give you and your loved ones peace of mind when the time comes to make critical decisions.
Creating a living will empowers you to determine what types of medical care you would like if you are terminally ill or incapacitated.
A living will lawyer can help you prepare for and put together an appropriate plan to address this eventuality, so everything is in order.
The Zimmerman Law Firm, P.C., provides exceptional legal services to the Waco and Central Texas communities. We understand the importance of putting a plan in place in case you become incapacitated or terminally ill.
We also understand how challenging and emotionally trying these conversations can be for many people. Our team takes the time to listen to your wishes and works with you to craft a plan that suits your situation and preferences.
To get started, please contact us online or call (254) 271-2540.
What Is a Living Will?
A living will is a legal document that allows you to make your medical wishes known in advance. This document is also referred to as a Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates, a Directive to Physicians, and an Advance Directive.
By signing a Directive to Physicians, you can help ensure that you receive the care you want if you have a terminal or irreversible condition and become incapacitated or are unable to make decisions for yourself.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Living Will?
Having a living will or Directive to Physicians can give you and your loved ones clarity and peace of mind. When tragedy strikes, your medical team and loved ones can follow your express directions, ensuring what happens is what you would have wanted to happen.
Other benefits of having a directive to physicians include:
- A living will allows you to specify the types of medical treatments you would or would not want to receive. This might include life-sustaining treatments such as mechanical breathing machines (i.e., ventilators), kidney dialysis treatment, and artificially administered nutrition and hydration.
- A living will relieves the burden on loved ones who may otherwise be forced to make difficult medical decisions without knowing your wishes. Rather than require your loved ones to have to figure out what you would or would not want, you can provide clear instructions to them and the medical team in advance.
- A living will can help you and your family avoid conflicts and even legal battles among family members with different opinions on what medical treatments to pursue. Loved ones under stress and fear of losing someone they love may have heated disagreements about how to proceed, but you can help avoid this by writing down your wishes.
Having a Directive to Physicians is important for anyone who wishes to remain in control of their end-of-life medical decision-making, ease the burden on loved ones, and avoid disputes among family.
If you do not have a directive to physicians and would like to ensure that your end-of-life wishes are properly documented, call The Zimmerman Law Firm at (254) 271-2540 today to speak to an experienced living will attorney at our office.
We take pride in providing exceptional service to all of Central Texas and would be honored to help you as well.
Is a Directive to Physicians the Same as a DNR?
Directives to Physicians are often confused with Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders (DNRs).
Both Directives to Physicians and DNRs are legal documents that relate to end-of-life medical care but they serve different purposes and have different legal implications. Before you sign either, it is important to understand the difference between them.
A Directive to Physicians allows you to make your end-of-life medical wishes known in advance, ensuring that you receive the care you want if you become incapacitated or unable to make decisions for yourself.
In contrast, a DNR is a medical order that instructs medical providers not to attempt atrial defibrillation or CPR if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing. So, while both cover similar types of situations, a DNR is more limited in its scope than a Directive to Physicians.
It is important to note that a DNR does not address other medical treatments or end-of-life care. For this reason, it is critical to create a living will or other legal document to ensure your medical team and loved ones understand your wishes if you become incapacitated or terminally ill.
If you have questions about the differences between Directives to Physicians and DNRs or need advice on documenting your end-of-life wishes, call our attorneys today.
Contact a Living Will Lawyer at The Zimmerman Law Firm Today
Creating a living will helps you and your loved ones have clarity and peace of mind when you need end-of-life care.
Establishing a living will enables you to take control of your medical care and ensure that what happens is what you want to happen. A living will attorney can help you craft a plan that fits your preferences and is legally valid.
The Zimmerman Law Firm team prides itself on providing exceptional legal counsel to the Central Texas community. We are here for you during this process and truly want to help you put together a living will that reflects your wishes.
Garrett Beach focused on estate planning during his time in law school and has provided an unwavering commitment to his clients throughout his many years practicing law.
Please get in touch with The Zimmerman Law Firm at (254) 271-2540 today to speak to our experienced and knowledgeable estate planning attorneys.