Are there any drawbacks of a living will?
A living will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for both medical care and end-of-life decisions in the event that you are unable to communicate them yourself. A living will ensures that decisions made on your behalf are in line with your desires and preferences, rather than those of well-meaning family or friends. While a living will can provide peace of mind, are there any drawbacks of a living will?
Although a living will can define what treatments you may or may not want, they are limited in scope because they cannot include every possible scenario. Unexpected situations can arise which may not be covered in your living will. If such a situation arises, your living will will not be able to guide your loved ones in determining treatment preferences. A living will is a guideline; it is not a technical instruction manual. Therefore, if you have strong opinions or preferences on specific treatments, be sure to include them in your living will.
Another potential drawback of a living will is that it is limited to your choices when you have a terminal condition or are in a persistent vegetative state. It does not cover other instances that may arise related to your medical care.
Another consideration is that living wills may not be honored in all cases. Healthcare professionals must follow the wishes laid out in a living will to the best of their ability, but they may also be bound by follow hospital policies. Sometimes choices in your living will, such as withdrawing life-sustaining procedures may be against the law or hospital policies unless your current conditions cause you to have a terminal condition or to be in a persistent vegetative state.
The last potential drawback of a living will is the impact it can have on your loved ones. At the end of the day it is your right to receive (or refuse) any care options, but illness and death are fraught with emotions. Even if your loved ones know what you want, making decisions about end-of-life care can be difficult, whether you choose to prolong your life or not. A living will can provide peace of mind and relieve the burden of decision-making for your loved ones, but it will still be a difficult time for them.
Ultimately, the decision to create a living will is a personal one, but the benefits generally outweigh the drawbacks. If you are ready to make your wishes known through a living will, call the estate planning lawyers at Brown Law Firm at (303) 339-3750.