Ocala, FL attorneys

Ocala, FL Living Wills

Living Will Attorneys

Despite its name, a living will has nothing to do with a last will and testament. A living will is a document that instructs medical professionals about how to handle the issues that come up after you can no longer communicate your wishes, such as the wish to receive life-supporting medical care. This type of document is also known as an advance medical directive. It is important that you work out your desired terms carefully and create a document that clearly states your desires with regard to:

  • Resuscitation. This is the artificial restarting of the heart after it stops beating. The living will can determine the circumstances under which an individual wants to be resuscitated and with which method, an electric shock or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
  • Dialysis. Dialysis works for the kidneys when they can no longer function. In a living will, you can stipulate how long you want to receive this treatment, if at all.
  • Mechanical ventilation. This procedure can allow an individual to breathe after he or she no longer can without medical intervention. Like dialysis, the length of time an individual wants to receive mechanical intervention can be written into his or her living will.
  • Tube feeding. When an individual cannot eat on his or her own, he or she can still receive nutrients through a tube that feeds them directly into the stomach.
  • Palliative care. When an individual’s disease is terminal, he or she may seek palliative, or comfort, care. This care does not heal or slow the condition, but allows the patient to live more comfortably.
  • Antibiotic and antiviral medication. An individual may determine whether he or she wants to receive infection-fighting drugs or simply allow illnesses to run their course.
  • Body and tissue donation. An important part of a living will is the portion concerning what the individual wants done with his or her body after his or her death. He or she might wish to donate his or her body to medical science or donate his or her healthy tissue or organs to patients in need.

Creating A Living Will in Florida

Samantha Shealy Rauba will work with you to create a living will that communicates your desires for your care after you can no longer communicate for yourself. She can help you with this and other parts of estate planning, such as naming a health care surrogate and determining who will have power of attorney for you if you become incapacitated.

Call Today for a Free Living Will Consultation

We understand that creating a living will can be a difficult process. When creating this document, it is crucial that you work with an experienced estate planning attorney who can make sure you include all necessary protections in your living will. At McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli, we are equipped to do this with you. Contact our firm today to schedule your free legal consultation.

(352) 789-6520