AARP reports that Baby Boomers are the generation with the highest divorce rates. Divorce among older adults in the United States has been on the rise since 1990. By 2019, 36 percent of divorces involved people 50 and older.
A living will describe your preferences for life-sustaining medical treatment. Oftentimes, it is accompanied by a health-care proxy or power of attorney, which allows someone to make treatment decisions for you if you become incapacitated and the living won’t contain instructions specific to the situation. Often, “living will” and “advance directive” are used interchangeably, but a living will only be legally valid once a terminal diagnosis is made, whereas an advance directive is much more comprehensive and can include a health care proxy. Contact us today if you need an experienced will lawyer in Florida.
As of 2017, only around one in three American adults had an advance directive for end-of-life care prepared. Those who are older than 65 are more likely to have an advance directive prepared than those who are younger, as are those who have chronic illnesses more likely than those who are not. People may be unwilling to prepare these documents because they fear that they won’t necessarily reflect their wishes at the time they become relevant; sometimes patients become more willing to undergo treatments they rejected when they were younger as they age and develop medical problems. However, the documents can be changed as long as they are witnessed and potentially notarized (depending on current law). And if you continue to communicate your values with your proxy, they can make decisions based on your most recent preferences.
So why is a living will important? It reduces ambiguity which can prevent family disputes during what is already a difficult time. It may seem like something that can be put off, but life is unpredictable; one never knows when these documents could become relevant. Furthermore, it needn’t be a hassle. A living will is a straightforward document, however it’s important to work with legal counsel to make sure your beliefs are properly stated. Other health care documents should also be prepared at that time, like a health care power of attorney that designates a person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable. Once you have signed any documents make sure you keep them updated, especially if you change states, and be diligent in communicating with whomever you named to act on your behalf.
If you need a living will or health care power of attorney or already have one that you would like reviewed. If you would like to discuss ways we can help, please contact our office at (352) 565-7737. Conversations are complimentary.
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