The Law Offices of Alan E. Sohn Chartered

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The Law Offices of Alan E. Sohn Chartered
Grandmother and granddaughter read book togetherWhat is a Living Will?

This document (Chicago living will) bears no relation to the conventional will or living trust used to leave property at death. It’s a document that lets you state what type of medical treatment you do or do not wish to receive if you are too ill or injured to direct your own care. (Among other things, you can use it to be sure doctors do — or do not — “pull the plug.”) The document may have a different name in your state (it’s often called a “declaration”), but you’ll recognize it as the place where you write down your specific wishes about types of medical care. A Living Will is a legal document that spells out the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures you do and don’t want, such as mechanical breathing (respiration and ventilation), tube feeding and resuscitation.

Do I need a Living Will?

If you know that you would not want extra-ordinary measures taken to sustain your life, if such measures will only serve to delay the moment of your death, it is a good idea to execute a Living Will.

What is the difference between a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney?

If you ever have a terminal and irreversable medical condition, your Living Will serves to inform medical personnel that you do not want extra-ordinary measures taken to sustain your life if such extra-ordinary measures will only serve to delay the moment of your death. Through a Health Care Power of Attorney, you appoint another person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your decisions regarding treatment options. Each of these documents serve a different purpose. In some cases, these two documents are joined together and referred to as an Advanced Directive. In other cases, particularly in Illinois , these two documents are separate and apart from each other.

A Living Will is a very serious legal document. You should only work with an attorney who has a dedicated focus on preparing and overseeing the execution of Living Wills, such as Chicago Estate Planning Lawyer, Alan E. Sohn.

Alan E. Sohn

Call Now for a Personalized Case Evaluation
(312) 236-7005