If you get into an accident or become too ill to make your healthcare wishes known, who in your life is going to advocate for you? Who do you trust to make critical decisions in an emergency? Doctors and emergency medical providers will often turn to your next of kin for information about what medical procedures will be performed on you if you’re incapacitated. This can easily lead to infighting among your electives, additional and unnecessary stress, and possibly a delay in vital treatment you need. Our Mesa, AZ living will lawyer helps you set the right protections in place, so no matter what, your values are respected. Please contact LifePlan Legal AZ today for a consultation.
Living Will Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Your living will, sometimes referred to as an Advanced Directive, contains your explicit wishes for healthcare should you be unable to make decisions for yourself. This can include whether you want feeding tubes or intubation, if you would like to be on life support (or how long you would like life support to last) and whether you have preferences for other treatments that could sustain your life.
A living will takes effect in an emergency, so instead of arguing over what they think you would prefer, your loved ones can focus on supporting you and each other. Your living will also alleviates the emotional burden your close family may face when making important, life-saving (or ending) decisions. If you have strong feelings about not being placed on life support or want a do-not-resuscitate order in place, having your preferences stated in writing, in a legal document, can give your family peace of mind, knowing that they are following your stated wishes, and not making these difficult decisions about your life and care without guidance.
Our Mesa living will lawyer drafts a comprehensive legal document that accounts for all medical eventualities so that no matter what life throws at you, your wishes are clear for your family and healthcare providers.
Why Our Experience Matters For Your Living Will
A good living will should be crafted according to Arizona estate laws so it can withstand any challenge that a worried relative might pose. It must also be properly drafted to ensure that any healthcare provider will accept it; not all DIY living wills may be accepted by a care provider. You don’t want your family to face an unpleasant surprise in an emergency only to realize that your document does not meet Arizona legal standards.
- Active members in good standing of WealthCounsel
- Top ratings on AVVO, professional peer-ranked national legal association
- We believe in giving back to our community. Firm lead attorney Becky Easton serves on the Board of Directors for Youth on Record, helping empower young creatives
Do you need help drafting or revising your living will? Our Mesa living will lawyer gets to know you and your healthcare providers to ensure that your Advanced Directive is legally sound and accurately reflects your desires. Please contact LifePlan Legal AZ today for a consultation.
Living Will FAQs
Planning for future medical decisions is an important step in protecting our wishes and supporting our families. A living will allows us to clearly state the type of care we want if we are unable to communicate. Without one, loved ones may be left guessing during difficult moments. Discover how our Mesa, AZ living will lawyer can help today when you call us to schedule a consultation!
Do I Need A Lawyer To Create A Living Will?
Yes, working with our lawyer can be helpful when creating a living will. While it is possible to complete basic forms on our own, legal guidance helps us avoid errors and create a document that reflects our specific wishes. A properly prepared living will can also help prevent confusion or disputes later. Many people choose to work with our team to make sure everything is completed correctly and meets state requirements.
Is A Living Will The Same As A Healthcare Power Of Attorney?
No, a living will and a healthcare power of attorney are not the same. A living will focuses on outlining our medical treatment preferences, especially in serious situations. A healthcare power of attorney, on the other hand, allows us to appoint someone to make decisions on our behalf. Both documents often work together, and our Mesa living will lawyer can help determine how they should be structured. Everyone should consider having both a living will and a healthcare power of attorney, even if they’re considered healthy.
Can I Change My Living Will Later?
Yes, we can update or revoke a living will at any time as long as we are able to make our own decisions. Life changes, health conditions, or personal preferences may require updates over time. Keeping the document current helps make sure it reflects our wishes. Together, our attorneys bring over a decade of experience, and we can make it easier to review and revise the document when needed. We recommend that everyone have a will, and we also recommend updating this will after a major life change like a marriage, divorce, or having children.
Does A Living Will Need To Be Notarized?
Yes, in many cases, a living will must be properly signed and witnessed, and notarization may be recommended depending on the situation. Following the correct process helps make the document valid and accepted by medical providers. Taking the extra step to complete it properly can prevent delays or challenges when it is needed most.
What Happens If I Do Not Have A Living Will?
No, nothing immediately happens if we do not have a living will, but it can create problems later. Without clear instructions, family members and medical providers may have to make difficult decisions without knowing our preferences. This can lead to disagreements or delays in care. Besides affecting the immediacy or quality of your care, disagreements or disputes between family members can quickly escalate, sometimes requiring additional mediation or legal support to solve.
Legal Help Is Available
At LifePlan Legal AZ, we help individuals and families prepare living wills that clearly reflect their wishes and meet legal standards. Whether we are creating a new document or updating an existing one, we can take steps today to protect future medical decisions. We believe in crafting a personalized plan that’s uniquely tailored to your exact needs. Call us today to see how our Mesa living will lawyer can help!