Six Key Considerations for Your Illinois Living Will 

 Posted on October 26, 2022 in Estate Planning

The pandemic has made many of us more acutely aware of our own mortality.  It has also forced us to confront the difficult question of what our end-of-life wishes would be if we were to become seriously ill.

A living will is a legal document that allows you to spell out your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you are unable to communicate them yourself. Creating a comprehensive estate plan, including a living will is important regardless of your current age or health.  It is especially important if you have a chronic or terminal illness, or if you are over the age of 65.

What Does a Living Will Cover?

A last will and testament describes how your earthly possessions are distributed to heirs. A living will, on the other hand,  is all about your healthcare and treatment preferences. It allows you to make decisions in advance about the kind of medical care you would or would not want to undergo if you were extremely sick. This spares your loved ones from having to guess what your wishes are.

Many people have strong beliefs about end-of-life care, and everyone is different. Some people want every single medical treatment possible. Others believe that, at a certain point, continuing medical treatment is unnecessary and only extends the suffering experienced by both the sick person and their loved ones. Some people want their lives extended even if they are in a vegetative state. Others would rather be kept comfortable and free from pain, even if it means a shorter life. Many also have religious beliefs that guide their decision-making about end-of-life care. A living will allows you to ensure these beliefs are followed.

In your living will, make sure to include your decisions regarding:

• Ventilation - Do you want to be placed on a ventilator if you cannot breathe on your own?

• Tube feeding - Would you want to receive food and water through a tube if you are unable to eat or drink on your own?

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Do you want to receive CPR if your heart stops beating?

• Pain management - Many people want to ensure that, even if they are terminally ill, they still receive palliative care so they will be as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

• Organ donation - Would you like to donate your organs or body to science?

• Posthumous decisions - If you die unexpectedly, would you want an autopsy to be performed?

Contact a DuPage County Living Will Attorney

At Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC, we help people design legally-binding estate plans that meet their personal beliefs and unique needs. Call our skilled Wheaton estate planning lawyers at 630-665-2500 to get started. Set up a confidential consultation today.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2110&ChapterID=60