Reasons to Consider Obtaining a "Living Will" Document in Illinois

 Posted on January 13, 2025 in Estate Planning

Pondering your mortality can be frightening, but if you take the time to make arrangements for the end of your life, you can rest easier knowing that you have a plan in place. An Oak Park, IL estate planning attorney can help you think through, and create a plan for, these end-of-life arrangements. A "Living Will" document – also referred to as an advanced health care directive – can allow you to specify your preferences regarding certain medical treatments if you become incapacitated.

At the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., our estate planning lawyer can help you prepare for unexpected health complications by drafting a "Living Will", along with other important estate planning documents.  

A "Living Will" Upholds Your Personal Rights

You deserve to have a say in your own healthcare decisions, and for many, the thought of losing control over those decisions can be disconcerting. With a "Living Will", you can take comfort in knowing that whatever happens, it will be according to what you want – not somebody else’s interpretation of what is best for you.

If you have concerns about certain medical treatments or procedures, you can specify your preferences in your advanced directives well before you ever set foot in a hospital. Obtaining a "Living Will" can be empowering, as it ultimately places authority in your hands, even during times when your decision-making abilities are diminished or incapacitated. .

A "Living Will" is Legally Enforceable

A "Living Will" is a legal document just like any other estate planning document, meaning that as long as it is properly drafted, it is legally enforceable. In a worst-case scenario, a family member can petition a court to enforce the terms of a "Living Will". For example, a "Living Will" can specify that you do not want life-sustaining care for terminal situations. If you suffered a serious stroke and your doctors insist on providing ongoing life-sustaining care, your children could insist that your doctors follow your wishes and, if necessary, get a court order requiring that your "Living Will" be followed.

A "Living Will" Lowers the Stress on Your Family

In the event that you become incapacitated, your family members might have conflicting opinions about what is best for you, which can be a major source of emotional distress to all concerned. Without a "Living Will", siblings may get into serious disagreements about how to handle medical care for aging parents. A "Living Will" shows care and love for your family by eliminating the possibility of these difficult situations arising in advance. If you obtain a "Living Will", you should show it to your spouse, your children, and other immediate family members so they can see what instructions it contains, and learn where to find it, ahead of time.

Meet With a Hillside, IL Estate Planning Attorney Today

Making arrangements for your future health situation now can serve you well in the long term. An Oak Park, IL estate planning attorney can help you draft a legally sound "Living Will", reducing some of the stress and uncertainty around end-of-life medical care. To schedule a free consultation with the Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., call our office at 708-449-7404 today.