How Important is a Living Will to LGBT Couples in Austin, Texas?

Nobody wants to think about what will happen when they get terminally ill. I don’t know anyone who wants to spend time thinking about what will happen at the end of their life. But if you’ve ever been the one forced to make end of life decisions for a parent or loved one, you know how difficult it can be. That is why LGBT couples in Austin should look into an Advanced Directive. This document is something that can protect you and honor your wishes regarding end of life decisions.

It’s really important that you contact an experienced LGBT probate lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you prepare your Advanced Directive. They can also help you amend one if it’s already drafted.

Here, we’ll talk about the basic purposes of a living will along with the legal requirements. If you have any additional questions, we urge you to reach out to a skilled LGBT probate attorney in Austin as soon as possible.

 

What is a Living Will?

A living will, also referred to as an advanced directive, is a legal document that dictates what happens when you’re on your deathbed. It applies if you’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It also applies if you’ve been declared imminently near death by a licensed physician.

A living will do two main things. First, it will list exactly what you want done to you should you get sick or injured and are facing death. Second, it can name the person you want to make end of life decision on your behalf.

The greatest benefit of this document to LGBT couples in Austin is that it ensures that your final wishes are honored. It also ensures that your loved ones aren’t forced to make end of life decisions for you. It’s hard enough to know that your loved one is dying. It is even more difficult to see family members argue and fight over what you would’ve wanted had you been well.

 

Your Austin LGBT Probate Lawyer Understands what Issues are Addressed in a Living Will

When you meet with your LGBT probate lawyer in Austin, they can go over the things covered in your living will. Most of them are pretty standard. In fact, some lawyers use boilerplate forms and just customize them to meet their clients’ needs.

Most living wills cover the same basic things. Some of these include the following:

• Whether or not you want artificial respiration or other means of extending your life
• If you want a feeding tube used
• Dictate if you want any life-sustaining measures taken
• Designate someone to make your end of life decisions for you
• Does not apply to medications or treatments intended purely for palliative care

The other nice thing about a living will is that it’s revocable at any time. You can revoke your living will no matter what your mental state of mind or level of competency. In order to do so, you must do the following:

• Communicate it orally to your doctor
• Put it in writing. It will be effective the moment it is mailed or delivered to your doctor

 

Ask an Experienced Austin LGBT Probate Lawyer How to Create a Living Will

If you don’t already have a living will in place, you need to contact an experienced LGBT probate attorney in Austin. They know the legal requirements for a living will. These legal requirements include the following:

• You must be legally competent at the time you sign your living will
• There must be at least one witness
• If the living will is oral, it requires two witnesses and a licensed physician
• It must become part of your medical record
• It cannot be enforced if you are pregnant

Having this kind of document is important to LGBT couples in Austin. Call Eddington & Worley today and schedule an appointment with a skilled LGBT probate attorney in Austin. They can answer any questions you may have. They can also give you the peace of mind you need.