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Estate planning for end-of-life wishes

Feb 7, 2019 | Probate & Estate Administration

Thinking about end-of-life matters can be uncomfortable. It can be difficult to imagine a future in which a person no longer has control over themselves, their bodies or their decisions. However, the fact is that many people will face this reality whether they planned or failed to do so. Thorough attention to detail during estate planning can help people in Florida maintain control over their lives even during periods of incapacitation.

A living will is perhaps the easiest way for an individual to lay out one’s wishes regarding medical and end-of-life care. In this document, a person can specify what types of treatment he or she is comfortable with and what forms of care the individual would like to avoid. However, even the most detail-oriented person cannot possibly account for every potential scenario, so it is important to pair a living will with a health care power of attorney.

The health care power of attorney gives an individual the legal ability to make medical decisions on the behalf of a person who is incapacitated. This individual can ensure that the other person’s medical care is in line with the wishes laid out in his or her living will. Being named in the power of attorney also means that he or she will be responsible for making decisions not covered by the living will, so it is important to give considerable thought to this decision.

Estate planning covers far more than just wills and what will happen to a person’s property after his or her death. From using revocable trusts to managing assets to crafting living wills that focus on end-of-life care, there is a full spectrum of applied uses and benefits. Florida residents might want to carefully consider both their needs and their wants when going forward with this process so that they can craft the most thorough plan possible.