In Texas, a living will is a legal document also known as “Directives to physicians.” This key estate planning tool holds advance instructions about your medical and end-of-life care.
This means that if you fall into an irreversible state or reach the end stage of your medical condition, your physicians can refer to your living will and honor its contents accordingly.
To help provide a better understanding of this topic, here are two things about living wills that you should know about:
How does a living will work?
When you have a living will, you have the opportunity to be taken care of medically with dignity, even if you are no longer able to communicate your wishes directly. This includes making your own end-of-life care decisions instead of having your loved ones decide on your behalf.
Your document is also valid in other states and can outline instructions about your pain management, artificial feeding routines and how long you would want to be placed on artificial life support systems.
What is the difference between an irreversible medical state and a terminal condition?
Your health care providers can use your living will when your medical condition is either terminal or irreversible. “Irreversible” can refer to a major injury or condition that can be treated but has no cure, such as cancer.
On the other hand, if your medical condition is terminal, this means that you are expected to die from your condition, regardless of your treatments. Three examples of these are multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
To die with grace
Your living will is a powerful estate planning tool that can help protect your right to free will in the event of an unfortunate accident or terminal illness. With this document in your hands, you can leave the world knowing that you can pass on with dignity and respect.