A living will in Bernalillo County, New Mexico is sometimes called a "healthcare directive" or something comparable. But whatever you call it, it's a legally-binding document which provides directions for your family members as well as you doctors on how you want end-of-life medical care to be handled. It lets them know in advance what you want.

This can be very valuable in avoiding disagreements between family members who otherwise might not know what your wishes on this subject are.

For instance, some people wish to be taken off of life support if they are in a permanent vegetative state, and their doctors believe that they have little to no chance of a meaningful recovery. Nonetheless, if this wish is not expressed in advance, it may be impossible to implement in the unfortunate event that it becomes relevant.

Furthermore, individual family members may not agree on what the patient would have wanted. Disagreements on this subject can be profound, and can cause irreversible damage to family relationships. But if the patient's wishes are made clear in advance, these fights can normally be avoided.

How to Create A Living Will in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Of course, your loved ones should be immersed in the process. They can't make these choices for you, but they'll likely be more willing to accept your decisions if they feel that their voices were heard. In any event, if your family understands what to expect when your living will is executed, the process will probably be easier.

You should then actually draft the will. To be sure that it is valid, you should have the assistance of a Bernalillo County, New Mexico attorney who specializes in wills.

In most states, a living will must follow all the protocols as testamentary wills (wills that dictate what is to be done with a person's property after their death).

While these required protocols vary by state, there are a few common elements. For instance, most wills and living wills need to be witnessed and signed by 2 people who have no direct interest in the subject matter.

Do I Need A Bernalillo County, New Mexico Living Will Attorney?

While not completely necessary, a seasoned estates attorney in Bernalillo County, New Mexico can be very helpful in drafting a living will. A lawyer will understand the intricacies of state and local law, and can craft a document around those laws, to ensure that your wishes are followed, to the extent feasible.