Do you need an attorney for a living will?

You can make a living will without a lawyer’s help. Most states have designed their health care forms, called Living Wills and Health Care Proxies in New York, with the specific intention you will complete them yourself. Usually, you’ll need to consult a health care professional or an attorney only if there is something about your forms that you don’t understand. And this is why you should consult an attorney to help you.

There are a few instances where it would do you well to consult with an estate planning lawyer, like Jeffrey Weinstein Esq.or a health care professional.

Terms such as “artificial nutrition and hydration,” “persistent vegetative state,” and “incapacity” in the forms may leave you confused. A health care professional or lawyer can explain the terms you don’t understand and can answer any questions about how your documents work. Many hospitals and other health care facilities have representatives who can explain the basics of your state’s health care forms and help you complete them.

You might be worried that family members may not agree with your health care wishes or may even fight about your medical treatment. This is where a good estate planning lawyer can ease your concerns by making sure your wishes are clearly expressed. The lawyer can also double check your forms to be sure they are properly finalized and legally sound.

A qualified lawyer can also help you make health care documents as part of a comprehensive estate plan, including a will, living trust, or other documents you may need. While it’s usually possible to accomplish these tasks on your own, it much easier to put the job into a lawyer’s hands. If it’s a question of hiring a lawyer versus putting off doing it yourself, don’t procrastinate. Take steps to make these essential documents or get the help you need.