Orlando Living Wills Attorneys

Compassionate & Tailored Guidance From Living Wills Lawyers in Orlando, FL

Enormous advances in medical science in recent years have made it possible to keep patients alive significantly longer than they might have otherwise when facing a severe injury or terminal illness. This type of end-of-life care, however, is not always what the patient would choose if he or she were able to voice an opinion. For one thing, the costs of such treatment can be staggering. Data cited by the American Bar Association (ABA), shows that a single month of hospital care for the last month of life may exceed $32,000, while hospice care during the same period can still cost nearly $18,000.

Consequently, keeping a person alive when he or she has a terminal condition can absolutely decimate an estate and leave little or nothing as an inheritance for the surviving family members. Furthermore, many people would rather not be kept on life support if it only means that he or she will spend the final days in a vegetative state or highly medicated with painkillers. For others, the preference is to stay alive as long as medically possible so that they can spend more time with their loved ones and say their last goodbyes.

We understand how emotional and difficult these decisions can be. That is why our Orlando living wills lawyer provides compassionate, personalized guidance to help you clearly document your wishes and protect your dignity and your loved ones.

Create a living will with skilled attorneys in Orlando at Jackson Law PA. Contact us online or call (407) 477-5046.

Living Wills vs. Last Wills

A living will is effective while a person is still living, while a Last Will and Testament becomes effective upon a person's death. A living will is a type of Advance Directive that lets your loved ones know your desires and preferences if you are no longer able to speak for yourself.

Simply telling a loved one what you wish is not enough. The Living Will must be in writing and becomes part of your estate plan while you are still alive.

Why You Need a Living Will in Orlando: Protect Your Wishes

The purpose of a living will, also known as an advance healthcare directive, is to make it possible for you to clearly state your wishes so that you can make your voice heard when you can no longer speak for yourself. 

This type of estate planning instrument is normally intended to come into action in the event that the individual is diagnosed with a terminal condition or end-stage condition, or falls into a persistent vegetative state, and the attending physician determines that there is no medical probability that the patient will recover. 

Depending on your preferences, you may stipulate that: 

• You wish for certain types of procedures to be withheld, so that you can die naturally or with only pain relieving medication, or 
• You may list out the various types of treatment and care you want to receive in order to prolong your life. 

If you are considering adding this to your estate plan, reach out to experienced living wills attorneys in Orlando at Jackson Law PA.

Healthcare Surrogates: Ensuring Your Medical Decisions Are Honored

In addition to writing a living will, many of our clients also choose to draft another type of advanced healthcare directive called a healthcare proxy which designates a healthcare surrogate. 

A healthcare surrogate is an individual whom you have chosen as someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf. Even a well-thought-out living will cannot anticipate any and all events that may arise, and the appointment of a healthcare surrogate serves to handle this problem by vesting a person with the authority to consult with your doctors and select a course of action for your treatment. 

This reduces the potential for strife and stress among your family members, since there will be no question concerning who is in charge of making decisions about your care. Learn more about healthcare surrogates and living wills and get started on your own case now by contacting our Orlando living will attorneys today.

Let Us Make Sure Your Living Will is Legally Valid

A living will is subject to strict provisions under Florida state law, and it is not sufficient to write your own document and then simply expect that it will come into operation in the future. It is necessary to observe certain procedures and forms when preparing a living will, and even minor mistakes could result in the document being declared invalid. 

If you want to ensure that your living will addresses all of the issues that might come up and that it will perform the functions that you expect it to, work with an Orlando estate planning lawyer from Jackson Law PA. We want to help you attain the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have made your wishes known and have relieved your loved ones of the distress and concern of having to make difficult decisions and then worrying over whether they have chosen as you would.

Call or complete a form to make an appointment with our living will lawyers in Orlando. Jackson Law PA is ready to help.

Commonly Asked Questions

Do You Really Need a Living Will?

Many people assume living wills are only necessary for the elderly or seriously ill, but unexpected medical emergencies can happen at any age. Without a living will, critical health care decisions may be left to doctors or family members who are unsure of your wishes. This can lead to conflict or medical treatment you may not have wanted. Our Orlando living will lawyer can help clearly document your preferences and verify that they are legally enforceable under Florida law. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

What Are the Benefits of a Living Will?

A living will allows you to clearly state your medical wishes if you become unable to communicate due to serious illness or injury. Without one, these decisions may fall to family members during an emotionally overwhelming time, often without certainty about what you would have wanted. An Orlando living will attorney can help document your preferences so your voice is respected and your care aligns with your values.

A properly prepared living will also eases the burden on loved ones by sparing them from making painful, high-pressure medical decisions, allowing them to focus on grieving and supporting one another. In addition, it can help prevent unnecessary end-of-life medical expenses in situations where treatment is prolonged despite the individual’s wishes.