If a person experiences changes to their physical or mental abilities they may no longer be able to make decisions for themselves. It may be something unexpected like an accident or a coma, or a long-standing illness or dementia that causes the incapacity to develop.
Here in Florida any competent adult has a legal right to create a Living Will. This document will serve as notice of your preferences regarding life extending medical care procedures when you are unable to communicate those wishes yourself. Most commonly this document is used during the time when one is incapacitated due to an accident or in the end stages of a terminal illness. Here in Florida a patient being given nutrition, food, or water is considered a life extending procedure.
Your Living Will works hand-in-hand with a Health Care Surrogate Designation.
As with other estate planning and incapacity planning documents you must execute a Living Will with great care. There are provisions in Florida law that allow a person unable to write or sign to execute an enforceable Living Will.
A skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate attorney is necessary to create and properly execute a Living Will and the associated planning documents. Consultations and reviews of your current documents are always done at no charge. Appointments can be made by calling the office and same day appointments are usually available. If you or your family members have an urgent need an attorney is available by phone 24/7.
