In College Park, Georgia a living will, also identified as a "healthcare directive" is a document which lays out directions for your family and your doctor regarding healthcare matters should you become so ill that you are unable to make or express such decisions.

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

For instance, some people don't want to be kept on life support if they are in a vegetative state with no substantial chance of recovery. Others, however, might prefer to be kept alive as long as humanly permitted. Another person's wishes might be something in between. In any case, if the family doesn't know what their loved one's wishes are, they may have to guess, which could lead to them making a determination that the patient would never have wanted.

This can lead to conflicts between loved ones, some of whom might want to keep the patient on life support, while others believe that he or she would not want to be kept alive in such a state. If the patient's wishes had been made clear beforehand in a legally-binding document, such infighting could be prevented.

How to Create A Living Will in College Park, Georgia

Before you begin, you should make it quite clear to your family members what your wishes on this subject are. If it ever becomes necessary to implement a living will, the process will likely be simpler if your family already understands what to expect.

Now comes the part where you actually draft the living will. The process is likely to go much more smoothly if you enlist the help of a talented attorney in College Park, Georgia who is experienced in drafting documents like this.

Usually, living wills need to follow the same formalities as testamentary wills (wills that dictate how one's property is to be distributed after death).

These formalities vary from state to state, but wills typically have to be witnessed and signed by at least two people who do not have a direct interest in the matter. Additionally, they should contain a clear statement indicating that the document is, in fact, a living will.

Do I Need A College Park, Georgia Living Will Attorney?

While not completely necessary, a reliable estates attorney in College Park, Georgia 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 permitted.