A Texas living will is also known as “Directives to physicians.” This estate planning document is free and does not affect your will, finances or assets.
Instead, your living will carries authority over your medical decisions and end-of-life wishes when you become too sick to communicate them on your own.
What are the benefits of a living will?
When you make plans for your future incapacity, you help provide a way for your doctors, nurses and loved ones to understand your medical directives and honor them accordingly. This not only empowers you to take control of your end-of-life care but also relieves your family of having to make the tough decisions on your behalf.
For example, you wish to die by natural processes and reject the use of life-sustaining treatments. Since you showed this detail on your living will, your healthcare providers can follow them.
However, it is important to note that your living will can only take effect when your doctor confirms that you have no hope of recovery. It does not allow assisted suicide and becomes invalid if you are pregnant.
When can my healthcare providers use my living will?
Your living will is enforceable when your condition is either terminal or irreversible. When you suffer from an irreversible condition, it means that your disease may be treated but can never be cured. Two examples of this are cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
On the other hand, when you are terminally ill, it means you are expected to die within six months.
Your end-of-life care choices should be yours to make
By understanding how a living will works, you can create your estate planning document and have your spouse or parents use it in the event that you fall into a persistent vegetative state or become terminally ill.
This act not only helps your healthcare providers learn about your medical treatment preferences but also provides a way for everybody to honor your end-of-life care decisions.