Wills, Trusts & Probate

Health Care Proxies (Living Wills)

Advance instructions about health care preferences are commonly given in documents called health care proxies, otherwise known as living wills. The laws of every state allow individuals to use living wills to direct health care providers on the use or withholding of life-sustaining medical treatment. Should an individual be incapable of stating his or her wishes at the time such major life decisions must be made, the living will specifies these wishes.

Some people think that living wills can only be used to limit the use of life-prolonging treatment. However, these documents can also be used to direct health care providers to administer all available medical treatment, even experimental procedures.

A living will can help your loved ones avoid family discord or even a lawsuit over medical care. The law ordinarily requires health care providers to follow the directives of a valid living will, even if they conflict with medical advice or the wishes of family members. Without a living will, disagreements among medical care providers or family members can result in costly legal battles over proper treatment.

Amaral & Associates, P.C. can help you prepare a living will that includes the specific instructions you want.

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