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3 Reasons You Need a Living Will

On Behalf of | Dec 16, 2020 | Estate Planning

Life during a pandemic makes you consider whether anyone is safe. The elderly and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus.  But, you never really know how your body will handle it. As a probate and estate law firm, we see how many families right now are having to make difficult healthcare decisions for loved ones who are incapacitated because of this terrible disease.

One easy way everyone can make things easier for their families is by including a simple document called a living will in their estate plans.

If you are not sure when the time is right to create a living will, here are three reasons why you need one now!

  1. Having a Living Will Protects Your Wishes

The primary reason for having a living will is to guide your family and medical professionals in case you lose the ability to communicate. The Bowen Law Firm, PLLC can help you draft the document so that it covers as many scenarios as you want. While we don’t usually want to think about it, anything can happen at any time to anyone. It’s best to make your wishes known and to make them legally enforceable.

  1. Having a Living Will Can Reduce Hospital Costs

One example in which a living will is essential is if, you go into a coma or vegetative state. It may not seem right to weigh the cost of keeping someone alive in such a situation, but this is a reality for many families who have loved ones who are in this situation. The hospital and healthcare costs associated with life support and round-the-clock care can grow to unsurmountable proportions. With a living will, you can stipulate exactly what you want to happen if you are incapacitated, thus taking the burden of this difficult decision from your loved ones.

  1. Having a Living Will Can Prevent Arguments between Family Members

Disagreement between family members is extremely common when a loved one is incapacitated. It is understandable that they are making what could be a life-and-death decision about someone they love. If you were in that situation, you would probably fight for what you think is right, and that’s not always going to line up with what others in your family think is best.

If you want to save your family the stress of having to an impossible decision about your care when they should be focusing on coming together to weather the storm, you need a living will as part of your estate plan.

Get Help from a Probate and Estate Attorney Today

If you need help with your estate plan, we are here to help. Call 713-574-7777 or email today so that we can discuss your needs.