Death isn’t something most young people think about often. When you turn 18, a new chapter of life begins, and it’s easy to feel invincible. However, injuries and illnesses can befall anyone at any age so there’s no better time to start thinking about creating a living will. Cheryl A. Beverson, Attorney at Law, an estate planning attorney in Middletown, NY, stresses the importance of creating this document early on in life. Here, she explains why anyone 18 years old and above should have a living will.

What Does a Living Will Accomplish?

A living will provides a written set of instructions on how you want to be treated if you become incapacitated and can’t make decisions on your own. It also lets you designate a health care proxy to legally make decisions on your behalf. This will spare loved ones the difficult burden of guessing what you would want for life-saving interventions. Without a living will in place, you won’t have any say in your medical care, and critical decisions could be left up to others to figure out.

Its Benefits 

In addition to stating your wishes for resuscitation and life support, a living will can express your preferences on specific types of treatment and procedures. You can also address pain management solutions, personal grooming and bathing, and funeral or memorial plans. Having all these details clarified in a living will can prevent unnecessary costs and conflict. 

For more information on how you can benefit from a living will, consult with an experienced estate planning attorney. Cheryl A. Beverson, Attorney at Law will help you decide what to include in a living will so your wishes are upheld in the event of incapacitation. Over the last 20 years, she has helped Middletown residents carefully draft the documents they need to preserve their rights and preferences. Contact this law firm at (845) 341-0008 or visit her online to learn more about her services.