What is a living will?

A living will is a type of legal document that outlines the kind of medical care and treatment a person wishes to receive, or not receive, if they are ever unable to make those decisions for themselves. This document is an important part of estate planning and trusts and estates law in Kansas. It is sometimes referred to as an advance directive or advance medical directive. A living will is different from a last will and testament, which is a document that outlines a person’s wishes for how they want their property, assets, and possessions to be divided after their death. Once a person passes away, their last will and testament becomes part of their estate. A living will goes into effect while a person is still alive. It allows an individual to specify the kind of medical care they would want to receive, or not receive, in the event that they become incapacitated. This may include procedures such as being put on life support, artificial nutrition and hydration, or even organ donation should that be the wish of the individual. Creating a living will is an important step in estate planning for anyone in Kansas and an important part of trusts and estates law. It is important to get the advice of an attorney when creating a living will to ensure its provisions are valid and legally binding.

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