The living will addresses the kind of care you would like to receive in order to sustain life. For example, if you are in an incurable or irreversible mental or physical state, your living will may direct doctors to withhold and withdraw treatment that only prolongs your dying. Simply put, you are refusing life support. You may further direct doctors to limit treatment to measures to keep you comfortable and relieve pain. You may even direct doctors to give you maximum pain relief. The following are some other choices you have as to the health care you want:
- Do not resuscitate (DNR)
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), for example, the use of drugs, electric shock, and artificial breathing (respirator)
- Artificially administered food and fluids (feeding tube)
- Life support
- Blood transfusion
- Transplants
- To be taken to the hospital if it is at all avoidable
- Donation of organs for transplantation, research, and/or studies
Although it is difficult to think about these questions, the living will is an important document that guides doctors and other health professionals as to the type of medical care you want in the event you are unable to make decisions about your medical care. In addition, the living will assists your health care proxy to make decisions about your care.
Our focus is to understand our clients’ wants and needs. We work closely with our clients to ensure they understand their decision about their medical care. In this important process, our clients are as much involved in the drafting and implementing of their living will, along with other estate planning documents, as we are.
The attorneys at James G. Dibbini & Associates, P.C. have over 20 years of experience in Wills, Trusts & Estates.
In order to learn more about the living will and how we can assist you with your Wills, Trusts & Estates matter, please feel free to contact us directly at (914)965-1011.
