Des Moines Living Will Lawyers

Advance Directives for Iowa Residents

Many people have never given much thought to what they would want to happen to them if they were no longer able to make their own medical decisions. However, this is an important conversation to have with your family. A living will can help you communicate your wishes for end-of-life care. At Pearson Bollman Law, our living will attorneys in West Des Moines can help you create a document that will help you and your loved ones avoid unnecessary stress at a difficult time.

Call (515) 298-8850 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for living will services in Des Moines.

What Is a Living Will?

A living will, also called an advance directive, is like a will in that it is a legal document that states your preferences for end-of-life medical care. This can include your preferences for life-sustaining treatments, such as artificial nutrition and hydration, mechanical ventilation, intubation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It can also include your preferences for end-of-life care, such as terminal sedation, palliative sedation, or comfort care only.

Your living will should be as specific as possible. For example, if you would prefer not to be placed on a ventilator, you should state that you do not want to be intubated. If you would prefer not to be placed on a ventilator or an artificial feeding tube, you should state that you do not want artificial nutrition or hydration. If you would prefer to be placed on a comfort care-only regimen, you should state that you do not want terminal sedation, palliative sedation, or any other life-prolonging treatment.

How Does a Living Will Work?

When you are no longer able to make your own medical decisions, a living will can help you and your family avoid conflicts about your care. If you have previously created a living will, your family will know your wishes for end-of-life care and will be able to avoid disputes about your care. If you have not created a living will, your family may be forced to make these decisions without knowing your preferences. This can lead to arguments, stress, and disagreements about your care.

If you have previously created a living will, your family will know your wishes for end-of-life care and will be able to avoid disputes about your care.

What Is the Difference Between a Living Will and a Healthcare Power of Attorney?

A living will is different from a healthcare power of attorney, or healthcare proxy. A healthcare proxy is a document that names a person to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to make them for yourself. A living will, on the other hand, is a document that expresses your preferences for end-of-life care.

Our living will attorneys can help you create a document that will help you and your loved ones avoid unnecessary stress at a difficult time.

Why Is It Important to Create a Living Will?

When you create a living will, you are ensuring that your end-of-life care is consistent with your wishes. If you have not created a living will, your family may be forced to make these decisions without knowing your preferences. This can lead to arguments, stress, and disagreements about your care. If you have a living will, your family will be able to avoid these arguments and disagreements.

Additionally, if you have created a living will, your doctors will know your preferences for end-of-life care. This can help your doctors make decisions that are in line with your wishes. When you create a living will, you are ensuring that your end-of-life care is consistent with your wishes.

Call Pearson Bollman Law at (515) 298-8850 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for living will services.