Why Make a Living Will?
When it comes to end-of-life care, or the “what if” conversation, are your friends and family aware of your preferences and beliefs?
How do you feel about being put on dialysis, feeding tubes, or machines that breathe for you? It’s a conversation no one wants to have, but when it comes to your health and well-being, don’t leave your loved ones with guesswork.
Instead, give them the peace of mind of knowing they’re respecting your wishes with a living will, which outlines your preferences in the event that you cannot voice them yourself.
Why do I need a living will?
“Without it, your family may not agree with each other regarding your end-of-life care,” says Texas-based estate planning specialist Molly Baize. “As a result, the court system may become involved, creating unnecessary expense for your estate.”
These potential end-of-life decisions are some of the most difficult and important ones you or a family member could ever make. You want to make sure your desires in a situation like this are fully understood by everyone involved and that, ultimately, the decisions are left in the hands of someone you trust to carry out your wishes.
How do I create it?
Creating a living will in Texas is a simple, streamlined process.
Typically, your living will will include two documents. The first is a durable power of attorney for healthcare, or medical power of attorney, which gives a person of your choosing the right to make decisions about your medical care.
“This document names an individual who makes healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are unable to and therefore will ‘fill in the gaps’ for a scenario not covered by a living will,” Baize says.
The second document is the actual living will, which will detail your medical wants and needs.
“Like many estate planning documents, it is possible to create your own living will from standard fill-in-the-blank forms or a software system,” Baize says. “However, to make certain your living will conforms to the laws of your state and that the language in your living will accurately expresses your desires, it is always recommended to seek the services of an estate planning attorney.”
What should it include?
A living will usually includes your wishes with regard to:
- Medical treatments you would or would not want used to keep you alive
- Pain management
- Organ donation
- Resuscitation
- Mechanical ventilation
- Tube feeding
- Dialysis
Before arriving at any decision, it’s important to research and discuss all options and seek advice from your physician and loved ones.
While end-of-life care is a topic that is understandably avoided, it’s still important to make these plans in advance. Not only will it grant you your wishes should such tragedy occur, but it will also lift a heavy weight from the shoulders of your family and friends.
When making decisions about insurance, wills, and end-of-life medical care, it’s a good idea to call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent and make sure your family is adequately protected by life insurance.
Coverage and discounts are subject to qualification and policy terms and may vary by situation. Life insurance products are offered through Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company. © 2017 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
