What is a Living Will and how does it work?

A Living Will is a type of estate planning document that allows individuals to specify their medical care and end-of-life decisions in the event they become incapacitated due to serious illness or injury. It is an important document for those living in California because it can help ensure their wishes are followed in the event of incapacity. A Living Will allows individuals to express their wishes for medical treatments and end-of-life decisions. It is usually executed with the help of an attorney and is often executed with an Advance Health Care Directive or Healthcare Power of Attorney, which names an individual to act on behalf of the individual if they are unable to make their own decisions. In California, a Living Will must be in writing and signed by an individual when they are of sound mind. The individual must also be over 18 years of age and have two witnesses sign the document as well. In some cases, the individual may also need to have the document notarized. Individuals in California can use a Living Will to make decisions about life-sustaining treatments, including the provision of medication, artificial nutrition, and hydration. They can also choose to make decisions about organ donation, autopsy, and other medical treatments. In the event of death, a Living Will can also help ensure that their personal wishes are followed and their estate is properly handled.

Related FAQs

Who should be included in an estate plan?
What is a letter of intent and how does it work?
What happens if I die without a trust?
What should I do if I suspect an invalid will?
What should I do if I find a mistake in my estate documents?
What is an advance health care directive?
What is a transfer on death deed and how does it work?
What happens if I don't have an estate plan?
What is a marital deduction and how does it work?
What is a disclaimer and how does it work?

What is a Living Will and how does it work?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts