Tri-Cities Advance Healthcare Directive Services: Creating a Living Will for Your Wishes
ELG Estate Planning’s Tri-Cities Advance Healthcare Directive services can help you make complex and difficult decisions now and ensure these wishes are carried out if you’re unable to communicate them in the future.
We can help you with:
- Creating a Living Will, also known as an Advance Directive or Healthcare Directive
- Outlining your wishes for your doctor
- Leaving end-of-life instructions for your loved ones
Statistically, 72% of people aged 65+ have a Living Will, but only 36% of people aged 30 – 49 have a Living Will.
Since 2006, we’ve been helping residents in Eastern Washington, including the Tri-Cities create a Living Will that allows them to have peace of mind if they’re in an accident or a healthcare crisis occurs, with instructions for their loved ones and doctors to follow.
Contact Us to Discuss Creating a Living Will for You.
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will, which has many names, such as an Advance Directive or Healthcare Directive, is a legal document that allows you to outline:
- The health care you want to receive if you are at end-of-life
- Extent of the care you receive
For example, if you’re on life support, you may have instructions in your directive that you do not want to be on life support for longer than three days, three weeks or three months. It is up to you. You can also leave instructions that direct doctors and nurses not attempt to resuscitate you.
Why is a Living Will Important?
Whether you are young and in good health or in ill health, you can still benefit from a Living Will. When it comes to a person’s care, it’s not something that you want to leave up to someone else without your written guidance.
If someone else must make decisions for you without a Living Will, it can lead to:
- Intrafamily arguments and disagreements
- Wishes not being followed
No one plans to be incapacitated or to suffer from dementia, but if the worst does happen, you can leave instructions for others.
Your Living Will can provide detailed instructions that others are required to follow.
A strong estate plan should include a Living Will and an actual traditional will, too. We can help you create a Living Will as part of your greater estate plan.
Is a Living Will the Same Thing as a Will?
No. A Living Will is not a Will.
Estate planning can seem complicated. While doing your research, you may see the terms “Will” and “Living Will.”
While they sound the same, these are two very different documents that serve different purposes.
- A Will outlines your wishes for how your assets will be distributed upon your passing.
- A Living Will outlines your wishes for medical treatment and healthcare if you are unable to make your own decisions.
Living Wills may also be referred to as Advance Directive and Healthcare Directive.
A comprehensive estate plan will have both a Living Will and a Will to ensure your wishes are carried out both in life and after you’re gone.
How Can I Make a Living Will?
A Living Will outlines your preferences for medical treatments and healthcare in your final days. It’s important to think carefully about how you want those days to look.
Consider what type of care you may or may not want to receive and make note of these preferences.
While there are DIY options for creating a Living Will, or forms the hospital provides, working with an experienced estate planning attorney is advantageous.
An attorney can walk you through the process of creating a Living Will that:
- Outlines your wishes
- Is legally valid
- Works with the rest of your estate plan
- Works in conjunction with your durable power of attorneys
An attorney will also explain how a Living Will works, take the time to understand your needs, and answer any questions you may have about this important estate planning document.
Contact us to learn more about our Tri-Cities Advance Directive, Healthcare Directive services.
Creating a Living Will with The Help of An Experienced Law Firm in Tri-Cities
A Healthcare Directive is a foundational estate planning document that will ensure your voice is heard if you are no longer able to make your own decisions.
It is best paired with a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care to ensure your trusted attorney-in-fact can carry out your wishes.
When it comes to important decisions such as your healthcare, you don’t want to leave things to chance. An experienced and capable attorney will ensure that all of the right pieces are in place to have your wishes heard and carried out.
At ELG Estate Planning, we know that estate planning can feel overwhelming. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys are here to help you navigate the process.
Contact us today to learn more about our Tri-Cities Advance Directive, Healthcare Directive services. We serve the Tri-Cities: Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and West Richland from our Kennewick office.