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Tags: finance, estate plan trusts, creating a living will
 For family members deciding to let a comatose or vegetative loved one die is a heart breaking and difficult decision to make. It often divides family members over the decision. Remember the controversy over Terri Schiavo's right to live, or die. Terri was a 39-year-old woman on life support for more than seven years since a heart attack cut off oxygen to her brain.
Her husband said that she would want life support terminated because of her vegetative state while her parents countered that she was responsive and should be revived. After seven years of media attention, involvement by politicians and advocacy groups, including members of the Florida Legislature, the United States Congress, and even the President of the United States, Terri was disconnect from life support on March 18, 2005.
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While this case was extreme, it highlights the struggle that occurs when your loved ones don’t know what you want them to do should you become incapacitated. You can protect them from the emotional pain and suffering associated with such dilemmas by creating a living will for peace of mind.
A living will instructs your doctor and/or family on your desires for medical care if you are unable to tell them yourself. Specifically, it lets doctors know to what extent they can go to keep you alive in the event you become incapacitated. This means that beyond basic medical assistance, they may be instructed not to continue if your situation worsens.
A living will may state the reasons for your decisions and at the same time relieves your family from having to make the hard decisions that may traumatize them for years to come. A living will can also be called as an advance directive, a health care directive, a representation agreement, a mandate, a personal directive, or a power of attorney for personal care.
There are two ways to go about creating a living will. You can either have a legal professional make one up for you or you can do it yourself. If a legal professional will make a living will for you, look for someone that specializes in this type of law where you live.
If you’re writing it yourself, find out the laws for making a living will in your state by visiting your state’s official website or by doing an internet search specific for your state. At the same time choose a reliable advocate who will staunchly execute your wishes. Also pick a health care proxy backup just in case something happens to your first choice.
Make sure you talk things over with your loved ones. Discuss with family and friends the choices you are making so that they are also aware and understand your reasoning behind your decisions. Be clear as to what you want done or not done—including the "do not resuscitate order", which means that a doctor would not start emergency procedures to help you to breathe or restart your heart once it stops, and even decisions regarding the type of life-support care that should be given to you.
Put down other possible medical events and have these included. While you cannot foresee everything, creating this document, will give your family a guide to what you want them to do for you. Strongly request everyone concerned to respect and follow your wishes should the time come that the living will needs to be used.
Review this document at least once a year to keep it updated or to make necessary changes. Don’t forget to make “legal” copies and give them to your advocate, your family and your doctor. A living will isn't an airtight solution. It can be a great help to your family if they have to make that final difficult decision if you are in a terminal condition.
About the author
The author of this article Rick Goldfeller is a successful underground Financial Analyst who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rick recently published a book on how to manage your money and attract Wealth and Financial Freedom. More info on his Finance Planning course is available HERE.
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