Spokane Living Wills & Advance Directives Lawyers
While many people focus on their legacy after death when reviewing their estate planning options, it is important to remember the implications of incapacity. If you are unable to manage your affairs because of an illness or injury, you cannot communicate with your health care providers and make decisions regarding medical treatment. The scenario often arises with end-of-life care, when you may have strong opinions about life-sustaining treatment but cannot express your intentions.
Washington estate planning laws address medical care during incapacity through a living will, sometimes called an advance directive. It is important to consider this document as part of your estate plan, since your family will otherwise need to go to court. Our team at Moulton Law Offices is knowledgeable about the requirements and advantages, which extend to both you and your loved ones. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with a Spokane living wills / advance directives attorney. Some background on these documents and their role in your estate plan is also useful.
Basics of Health Care Estate Planning Documents: Your needs for medical treatment and well-being remain even when incapacitated, but there are significant limitations when you cannot communicate. An advance directive allows you to express your intentions about the types of care you reject when you cannot tell your health care providers in spoken words. In your living will, you might address:
- Feeding tubes for nutrition and hydration;
- Ventilators and respirators for breathing;
- CPR and use of defibrillators; and,
- Other end-of-life care.
In addition, you can include statements about your general values and mission with respect to health care. Without an advance directive, your loved ones do not have guidance on how you would make decisions on care. They must go to court for guardianship proceedings, which can be a costly, time-consuming process.
Legal Help with Advance Directives: A living will is a powerful document that enables you to make important medical decisions now, at a time when you are physically and mentally capable. Your advance directive helps you avoid court, since it expressly states your wishes about treatment if disputes develop among loved ones. Because it is such a crucial document, assistance from a Washington estate planning lawyer is essential.
You can rely on Moulton Law Offices to handle all legal tasks involved with preparing living wills / advance directives, including:
- Consulting with you on your goals;
- Explaining the meaning and legal impact of living will provisions;
- Coordinating execution of your advance directive, which requires neutral witnesses that are unrelated to you and have no interest in your estate; and,
- Advising you on forwarding copies to health care providers and family members, and storage of originals.
A Spokane Living Wills / Advance Directives Attorney Will Advise You on Options
It is reassuring to know that you have options to manage your health care if you become incapacitated, but there are many additional details involved with living wills and advance directives. To learn more, please contact Moulton Law Offices to set up a case evaluation with a skilled Washington estate planning lawyer.
