If you’re creating your estate plan, one important piece you don’t want to forget is a living will. This document explains your desires regarding medical care if you are unconscious or otherwise incapacitated.
Without a living will, your doctors will turn to your family to make decisions for you, resulting in potential arguments and your wishes being ignored.
An Orange City living will lawyer from our team can help you create this crucial document. Our Orange City wills, trusts & probate lawyers treat clients like members of our family.
Contact our legal team at Bogin, Munns & Munns today to learn how we can help you protect your wishes and your family members.
Why Choose Our Orange City Living Will Attorneys to Help You Create an Estate Plan?
Since 1979, our Orange City estate planning lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns have served Central Florida residents with comprehensive and innovative legal representation at a fair price. You can trust us to prioritize your needs and respect your wishes regarding your living will and other estate planning needs.
Our firm has received many impressive awards, recognitions, and certifications, including:
- Best Attorney Services from the Orlando Sentinel’s Best Bets
- AV Preeminent Rated from Martindale-Hubbell
- Florida Legal Elite by Florida Trends
- Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL)
- Florida Bar Board Certification
- Superb Rating from AVVO
- 4.8-star average review rating on Google
We have 40+ attorneys on staff who proudly serve clients from all backgrounds with various legal needs. We look forward to giving you the exceptional legal service you deserve and helping you create a valid and binding living will.
To consult with an experienced living will lawyer serving Orange City
(855) 780-9986
Why Do You Need a Living Will?
Some people avoid estate planning because they don’t want to think about “worst-case” scenarios, scary medical diagnoses, or the end of their lives. However, creating a living will and other documents is important for protecting your future and your family. Before creating a living will, you should sit down and think about what’s most important to you, including your values, family, religious beliefs, and personal preferences.
Consider how you would feel if you were diagnosed with terminal cancer, involved in a serious motor vehicle accident, or experiencing the effects of end-stage Alzheimer’s disease, for example.
Do you want doctors to preserve your life no matter what, even if it means being on life support indefinitely? Do you only want medical treatment if it’s possible to be cured? Or do your wishes lie somewhere in between?
Specific Topics You Should Address in Your Living Will
Your living will should be as detailed as possible and include your opinions and preferences on the following topics:
- Resuscitation (CPR, defibrillation, etc.)
- Mechanical breathing (ventilation/intubation)
- Artificial hydration and nutrition (feeding tubes/IVs)
- Kidney dialysis
- Blood transfusions
- Treatments for a terminal illness
- Antibiotics and other medications
- Pain management
- Organ or tissue donation
Come prepared to discuss these topics and others during your appointment with a compassionate Orange City commercial law lawyer. Contact Bogin, Munns & Munns today to schedule yours.
FAQs About Living Wills and Other Estate Planning Documents
Our Orange City estate planning attorneys receive many questions about living wills and other estate planning documents from our clients. Here are a few common questions we get and their answers:
What’s the Difference Between a Living Will and a Last Will and Testament?
When most people hear the word “will” in the context of estate planning, they think of a last will and testament. This document specifies what happens to your personal property and assets when you pass away.
It also specifies a guardian for your minor children, if applicable. Your estate executor will carry out the instructions in your will after you die.
A living will is a completely different document. It explains what medical care you want (or do not want) if you are incapacitated or otherwise unable to communicate your wishes.
What Happens if I Become Incapacitated Without a Living Will?
If you are involved in an accident or contract a serious illness that prevents you from communicating, but you don’t have a living will, your healthcare providers will turn to your next of kin (such as a spouse, adult children, or other family members) to make decisions for you.
While this may seem like a reasonable alternative, do you really want to place such a great burden on your loved ones? This situation has the potential to tear families apart, especially if they disagree on what medical care you should or should not receive.
To avoid arguments and ensure your wishes are honored, we strongly suggest all adults in Orange City create a living will.
What Is a Designation of Health Care Surrogate?
According to Florida Statutes § 765.202, this document allows you to choose a healthcare proxy to make medical care decisions for you in situations that your living will does not mention. We recommend creating this document in conjunction with a living will.
How Often Should I Update My Living Will and Other Estate Planning Documents?
We recommend reviewing your living will at least once a year to determine if you want to make any changes or updates. Additionally, you should review your estate planning documents after any major life change, such as:
- Divorce
- Marriage
- Death of a loved one (especially if they are named as a beneficiary in your will or your agent in a power of attorney)
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Receiving a serious medical diagnosis
- Major change in your financial situation
- Moving to a new state (you may need to make changes to meet state-specific guidelines)
Can I Create or Update My Living Will Without an Attorney?
You can, but we do not recommend it. Sometimes, “do-it-yourself” estate planning documents are not being legally binding because they are missing a crucial element or include irrelevant or incorrect information.
Hiring an Orange City living will lawyer can give you peace of mind that your documents are accurate, meet all state guidelines, and don’t leave out any important information.
Orange City Living Will Lawyer Near Me
(855) 780-9986
Connect With an Orange City Living Will Lawyer Today
If you’d like to create a living will or other estate planning documents, an Orange City living will attorney at Bogin, Munns & Munns can help.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
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