Most people do not think about starting a living will until they are in their older years, or ill. However, there are many benefits of having a living will, and you could end up regretting not taking the time to make one out. Life is unpredictable and often uncomfortable, which is enough reason for adults of any age to invest in a living will.

More than 70 percent of Americans have made a living will, also known as an “advance directive.” According to a 2014 study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, that figure has risen from 47 percent to 72 percent in the last decade. Generally speaking, a living will should state what medical treatment you do not want to receive, should you become incapacitated. As long as you can think and speak for yourself, it doesn’t come into play, as you will be able to approve or refuse any treatment for yourself.

At France Law Firm, we are here to help you plan a living will before life gets to that uncomfortable stage. Here are some reasons why every adult should take the time to make out a living will, no matter their age.

A living will protects you when you can no longer communicate
The most advantageous part of having a living will is that it protects you in a future situation in which you no longer can communicate your wishes. If something were to happen, the medical professionals in charge of treating you have a big say in what happens to you once you are in a state in which you can not communicate what you want to be done.

Prevents major arguments between family members
Having a living will prevents major arguments between family members when the decision is not up to the medical professionals in charge. The other people that have a say in what happens to you are your family members. If they disagree on what should be done with you, it can cause relationship ending arguments between members of your family. This is the last thing you want happening during such a tough and difficult time. With a living will, it will be your choice and no one else’s. This will eliminate any argument or debate as to what should happen to you.

Gives you control over medical treatments/procedures
A living will also gives you control over what medical treatments and procedures take place in a situation where you are ill to the point of not being able to communicate. In this situation, a living will orders doctors to fulfill your wishes in writing. This way, you can take the decision out of their hands.

Reduces potentially unwanted medical bills for your family
In a situation that you get into a coma or vegetative state, a living will decides exactly what is done with you. Many people would rather die than live an additional 20 years on life support. The reason being is because if they are on life support, it will rack up enormous medical bills in which their family will have to pay. If you do not specify this, then your family may be left paying insurmountable medical bills. If you do not want to see something like this happen, you will need a living will that specifies exactly what you would like to happen in a given situation such as this one.

Gives you piece of mind
Making out a living will gives you piece of mind. These documents are designed to give you the control to prevent more bad things from happening in tragic situations. Tragic situations are hard enough, and you want to know that your family as well as yourself will be taken care of properly in such a situation.

The last thing you would want to do is end up giving people outside of your family control over what happens under bad circumstances, or leave them with endless medical bills. If you are interested in getting a living will written up, contact France Law Firm today. We are here to help you protect yourself against these situations, and make the best decisions today that you can.