Many of you remember the tragedy that happened with Terri Schiavo. Terri Schiavo entered a vegetative state in 1990 after adopting an "iced tea diet" (related to her bulimia). This resulted in a disastrous potassium deficiency that caused irreversible brain damage. She remained in a persistent vegetative state for the last fifteen years of her life. Both Schiavo's doctors and her court-appointed doctors expressed the opinion that there existed no hope of rehabilitation and even though her husband tried to discontinue life support systems, her parents contested his efforts. Don't let this happen to you. Execute a simple living will..
A living will is a written declaration that sets forth your intent as to whether or not you want life support systems to be discontinued in a similar situation. Sample language that is in a living will declaration follows:
If my attending or treating physician and another consulting physician determine that there is no reasonable medical probability of my recovery from any of the following conditions, I direct that life-prolonging procedures be withheld or withdrawn when the application of those procedures would serve only to prolong artificially the process of dying, and that I be permitted to die naturally with only the administration of medication or the performance of any medical procedure deemed necessary to provide me with comfort care or to alleviate pain, even if that hastens my death:
• I have a terminal condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which there is no reasonable medical probability of recovery and which can be expected to cause my death if not treated.
• I am in an irreversible end-stage condition that is caused by injury, disease, or illness that has resulted in severe and permanent deterioration, indicated by my incapacity and complete physical dependency, for which treatment would be medically ineffective to a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
• I am in a persistent vegetative state characterized by permanent and irreversible unconsciousness in which there is an absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior of any kind by me, with an inability to communicate or interact purposefully with others in the environment around me.I understand that artificial nutrition and hydration (providing food and water through tubes) are considered life-prolonging procedures.
I consent to becoming an organ and tissue donor upon my death.
I intend that this declaration be honored by my family and my physicians as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and to accept the consequences for such refusal. I understand that my wishes may place a heavy burden upon others, and so I make this declaration to assume sole responsibility for my decision and to mitigate any feelings of guilt that my wishes may cause.
I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this declaration, and I understand its importance.
These decisions are too important to not take the time to sign a written declaration regarding your intent. Without it your loved ones will not be able to do what you would want. The Law Offices of Hoffman & Hoffman, P.A. includes a living will declaration as part of every estate plan that we draft. Call to make your appointment today so that you have peace of mind knowing that all of your wishes will be carried out.
For an initial consultation with one of our experienced attorneys call 305-372-2877 or 877-858-2977 or fill out the contact form on the right side of this page.
