People who are creating an estate plan tend to focus on distributing assets after their death, but they should also think about what will happen if they become incapacitated. Planning ahead for medical decisions provides an opportunity to clarify your wishes if you can’t do so yourself at the time.
In Illinois, the living will is one part of an advance directive that allows you to make your wishes about life sustaining treatments known. This can guide your healthcare providers if there are critical decisions that are necessary.
What is included in a living will?
A living will can include information about things like mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and similar medical interventions. These documents are used when you’re considered legally incapacitated, so you can make decisions on your own until that point. You can include as many or as few restrictions and clarifications as you feel necessary, but they must be relayed in specific manners.
How does a living will work with a healthcare power of attorney?
The living will outlines specific medical decisions, but the healthcare power of attorney can make decisions that aren’t included in it. Your healthcare power of attorney will work closely with your medical team to ensure the care you receive is in line with what you would have wanted.
Creating a comprehensive estate plan takes considerable thinking, but it can help your loved one make the decisions that could be difficult. It may be beneficial to work with someone familiar with these matters to ensure that your wishes are accurately relayed in a legally binding manner.