Living wills, an essential part of estate planning, are legal documents that enable you to make crucial decisions, plan for end-of-life medical care, and ensure your loved ones understand your final wishes.
In these documents, you can provide specific instructions regarding the type of medical treatments you do or do not want should you become incapacitated and have a terminal illness. These include such decisions as whether to use life-sustaining procedures. A lawyer experienced with living wills in Junction City could work with you to tailor an estate plan that fits your needs and prepare the documents in compliance with the laws. Call today to speak with one of our hard-working wills attorneys to get started.
Preparation of Documents for Living Wills
A living will offers instructions for preferred medical care when a person becomes terminally ill and cannot communicate their desires for treatment. After preparing the document, an estate planner must sign it in the presence of two witnesses who meet the regulations’ guidelines. The document takes effect when two medical care providers determine the person is terminally ill. Provisions of a living will may include:
Insertion of a feeding tube
Intubation and resuscitation
Pain management and comfort care
Organ and tissue donation upon death
Placement on a ventilator if a person cannot breathe on their own
A combined advance directive concerning medical care and treatments includes two documents: a living will and a durable power of attorney (POA). The POA authorizes someone to step in and make essential medical decisions when a terminally ill patient cannot make their own decisions. The living will also includes specific instructions for the POA, so the decision-maker understands how to make choices that align with the patient’s goals.
The POA authorizes an agent to step in and make vital decisions on behalf of the patient, including:
Consenting to healthcare treatments
Withdrawing consent and thereby stopping the receipt of specific medical treatments
Refusing treatment altogether
Otherwise acting on the patient’s behalf
A Junction City attorney could provide legal advice and services and ensure compliance with the rules and regulations regarding a living will.
State Living Will Regulations
According to the Kansas Statutes Annotated § 65-28,101, adults have the legal right to control or decline life-sustaining procedures they receive when they have terminal conditions. The legislation further directs that adults have that right even when they are unable to make those decisions themselves because of mental impairment.
Therefore, they can create and sign the document, instructing healthcare professionals about their final wishes if the time comes. While the individual preparing the living will is not required by law to prepare the document with an lawyer, a legal professional in Junction City could ensure the document complies with state regulations.
Speak to a Skilled Attorney About Junction City Living Wills
While it may not be the most comfortable topic, preparation for crucial decisions such as end-of-life medical care is important. Not only can it provide you with peace of mind—knowing you will receive the healthcare treatments you want—it will also alleviate some of the stress your loved ones may face, should you become incapacitated and leave them to make significant decisions on your behalf.
Call a diligent lawyer experienced with estate planning and living wills in Junction City for more information. We could review all your options and help you prepare a plan that reflects your wishes.
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