Living Will Attorney in St. Petersburg

Living Wills are often misunderstood. Many people confuse a Living Will with a Last Will, or Last Will and Testament. They are not the same. A Living Will, also sometimes referred to as a Living Will declaration, or a Living Will and Testament, could be defined as a legal document that gives guidance to your loved ones and doctors of your wishes concerning the continuation of life support machines or equipment in the event that your health deteriorates to such a point that you cannot live without that equipment. The purpose of the Living Will and estate planning is to make your wishes known and legally binding at a time when you may not be in a position to express them yourself due to temporary or permanent lack of capacity.

There are many considerations and options which a Living Will attorney can discuss with you about how to prepare and execute the document. In your Living Will, you can decide under which circumstances you would like to have life-prolonging procedures discontinued. You can also name someone to act as your surrogate, to make sure your wishes are honored by the hospitals and doctors, and to take legal action on your behalf in the event your wishes are not followed. You can name an alternate surrogate as well, in the event, your first choice is unable or unwilling to perform his or her duties. A Living Will can have many other benefits, not the least of which is making your wishes crystal clear, and not placing the burden for deciding to "pull the plug" on your loved ones, who could otherwise be unsure of your actual wishes under those circumstances.

As with other estate planning documents, the form and execution of a Living Will declaration is of the utmost importance. Improperly prepared or signed documents can lead to lengthy, and potentially costly, legal challenges. The point of having a Living Will is to have it honored by your family, physicians, and, if necessary the courts. This is why it is so important to hire an experienced Living Will and estate planning lawyer.