Life is full of unexpected events; fortunately, estate planning offers a way to prepare for worst-case scenarios. A living will, for instance, provides clarity about your health care wishes should you suddenly become incapacitated. Scott & Heenan LLC in Platteville, WI, help local clients plan their end-of-life care. Here, they offer some guidance on the topic. 

Instructions Outlined in a Living Will

A living will expresses the steps you want a doctor to take, or not take, to prolong your life. If an injury or illness leaves you in a permanent vegetative state or terminal condition, the document cites any preferences regarding specific medical treatments, such as mechanical ventilation, blood transfusion, and resuscitation efforts.

Without a living will to direct them, health care professionals may be legally obligated to perform procedures you wouldn’t have wanted. Leaving instructions also relieves your family of having to make tough medical decisions on your behalf.

Living Will Laws in Wisconsin

Every state has its own laws in place governing what a living will can cover and the legal requirements to make it valid. In Wisconsin, the document may discuss any medical procedure that would extend the dying process but cannot include details on treatments related to nutrition, hydration, or pain alleviation.

For it to be viewed as a valid estate planning document, it must be drafted by someone who is at least 18 years old and of sound mind. It must also be signed in the presence of two unrelated witnesses and the physician notified. Further, a living will is revocable any time you desire. 

Injuries and illnesses can happen at any age, so create a living will as soon as possible. Backed by extensive knowledge in estate planning, the attorneys at Scott & Heenan LLC can help put together a legal document that ensures your end-of-life care wishes are carried out as you intended. They have served clients throughout Grant County, WI, for over 50 years, providing quality guidance every step of the way. Call (608) 348-9506 to schedule a consultation, or visit the website to learn more about their background in estate planning, as well as other practice areas.