Living Will - Why You Need One Now! author:Beth Gabriel source_url:http://www.articlecity.com/articles/legal/article_569.shtml date_saved:2007-07-25 12:30:13 category:legal article:
Living Will Why its critical that you have one!
A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to direct healthcare professionals to act on your behalf regarding life-sustaining intervention and treatment if you can no longer speak for yourself.
A new survey finds that only 33% of Americans have a living will.
Sixty-seven percent of Americans lack a living will, potentially leaving them with no control over whether they wish to receive life-sustaining medical treatment in the event they should become incapacitated or terminally ill.
All fifty states have laws regarding the ability of patients to make decisions about their own medical care before the need for treatment arises through the use of advance directives.
This allows patients to draft living wills that set forth the type and duration of medical care that they wish to receive should they become unable to communicate those wishes on their own.
The court case involving Terri Schiavo brought this problem to national attention.
Now its time for you to make sure that your wishes are known to your family by creating a living will.
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