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Living Wills Attorneys in Orlando, Florida

Don’t Leave Your End-Of-Life Decisions To Chance, Create A Living Will Today

Wills are not documents that should only be thought about creating in the later years of your life. It is imperative to, throughout your life, update your existing will as your life changes so that your loved ones can be taken care of and your assets can be secured.

At Veliz Katz Law, we work with clients to draft comprehensive living wills. These documents allow you to outline how you want your health care to be handled should you become incapacitated. To start working with our knowledgeable attorneys, contact us today in Maitland, Florida, for a free consultation. We advise clients throughout the area, including residents of Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Maitland and the surrounding areas.

Whether you are just starting to think about estate planning or have specific questions about creating a living will, Veliz Katz Law is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our trusted living wills attorneys.

What is a Living Will? 

Understanding Living Wills

The most important thing to note about a living will is that provisions can be made related to the continuation of life support or state of living if an individual cannot make decisions for themselves. A living will does not have jurisdiction after death. If you are seeking counsel for the preparation of a last will and testament, contact us at Veliz Katz Law.

Without a living will, families and health care providers are left to determine circumstances for individuals unable to consent to medical procedures or termination of care. Unclear provisions can often lead to disputes resulting in litigation over which party reserves the right to make the final choice and/or which choice in a matter should prevail.

Ensure that your end-of-life decisions are made with dignity and respect with the help of our living wills attorney in Maitland FL. Contact us today so we can provide you with the peace of mind that comes with knowing your healthcare preferences will be honored, even if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

Decide How You Want Your Health Care Handled

Similar to a legal will, it is up to the creator how much detail is to be included in a living will. The more information you choose to include about your wishes, the more helpful you could be to healthcare administrators or your family members.

A living will allows an individual to stipulate what medical procedures they agree to be performed on them. For example, if an individual does not wish to be resuscitated or kept on life support with no brain activity, they could stipulate this in a living will. A Health Care Surrogate can also be designated for the purposes of making health care decisions in the event the creator of the living will become unable to consent to medical procedures.

Having a living will in place can bring you peace of mind knowing your health care wishes are legally outlined.

What are the Steps in Creating a Valid Living Will?

In order for a living will to be considered valid in the state of Florida, it must be signed by the creator in the presence of two witnesses. One of these witnesses cannot be a blood relative or a spouse. Florida will recognize a living will that was signed in another state if that living will is in compliance with the laws of the other state or of Florida. After the living will has been made effective, it is recommended that a copy is made available to the creator’s physician to be filed in their medical records.

Creating a valid living will in Florida is an important step in ensuring that your medical treatment and end-of-life care preferences are followed in the event that you are unable to communicate those wishes. The process involves several important steps, including:

Consider Your Preferences

Before creating a living will, take time to consider your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care. Think about the types of medical interventions you would want or not want, and what kind of care you would like to receive if you were unable to communicate your wishes.

Choose a Healthcare Surrogate

Choose someone you trust to act as your healthcare surrogate, who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

Consult With a Living Wills Attorney

Working with our Maitland FL living wills attorney at Veliz Katz Law is highly recommended to ensure that your living will meets all legal requirements and accurately reflects your wishes.

Draft Your Living Will

Your living will should include your preferences for medical treatment, and end-of-life care, and designate your healthcare surrogate. Your living will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by at least two individuals who are unrelated to you, your healthcare surrogate, or your healthcare providers.

Share Your Living Will

Make sure to share copies of your living will with your healthcare surrogate, your healthcare providers, and your loved ones.

Review and Update Your Living Will

It’s important to review and update your living will periodically to ensure that it continues to accurately reflect your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care.

By following these steps and working with our experienced living wills attorney in Florida, you can create a legally valid living will that accurately reflects your wishes for end-of-life care.

What are the Components of a Living Will in Florida?

If you are considering creating a living will in Florida, it’s important to understand the specific components that must be included in order for the document to be legally valid. Here are the key components that must be included in a living will in Florida:

Healthcare Preferences

A living will should specify your healthcare preferences, including the types of medical treatment you would like to receive or not receive, such as life support, resuscitation, or artificial nutrition and hydration.

End-of-Life Care Preferences

A living will should also address your end-of-life care preferences, such as whether you would like to die at home or in a hospice facility, and whether you would like to receive palliative care or pain management.

Healthcare Proxy

You may also want to designate a healthcare proxy, also known as a medical power of attorney, who can make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.

Signature and Witness

A living will must be signed by you, the person creating the living will, and witnessed by at least two individuals who are not related to you, your healthcare proxy, or your healthcare providers.

It’s crucial to work with our living wills attorney in Maitland, FL to ensure that your living will is legally valid and tailored to your unique circumstances and preferences. We can help guide you through the process and ensure that your living will accurately reflect your wishes for end-of-life care.

What are the Legal Requirements for Creating a Living Will in Florida?

In Florida, there are specific legal requirements that must be met when creating a living will. These requirements include:

  1. You must be of sound mind and at least 18 years of age to create a living will in Florida.
  2. Your living will must be in writing.
  3. Your living will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not related to you and who are not entitled to any portion of your estate.
  4. Your living will must conform to the legal formalities required by Florida law to be legally recognized.
  5. While not required, it is recommended that your living will be notarized for additional legal validity.

Our Maitland estate planning attorney can provide you with guidance and advice, answer any questions you may have, and ensure that your living will is valid and adheres to applicable laws. Give us a call today to know more.

Why Do I Need a Living Wills Attorney in Florida?

If you reside in Florida and are thinking about drafting a living will, you might be wondering if you require the help of a living wills attorney. While creating a living will without legal counsel is possible, there are several compelling reasons to think about hiring our living wills attorney.

The benefits of working with our living will lawyer at Veliz Katz Law include:

  • We can help you decide on your preferences by outlining the various available medical treatments and end-of-life care options.
  • We can assist you in creating a legally binding living will that accurately reflects your preferences for medical care and end-of-life care
  • We can make sure your living will complies with all legal guidelines and is accepted by Florida law.
  • If you are unable to make your own medical decisions, we can assist you in selecting a healthcare surrogate.
  • We can help you review and update your living wills as your circumstances change.

If you’re ready to create a legally valid living will in Florida that accurately reflects your wishes for end-of-life care, working with our living wills attorney is a wise choice. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step in protecting your future and ensuring that your wishes are respected.

Take Control of Your Future

If you are interested in creating a living will, get in touch with us today at Veliz Katz Law. We’ll set you up with a free consultation. Our team will listen intently as you outline every detail you want your living will to address. Once we have a firm understanding of your goals, we will get to work drafting your custom legal document.

Contact our office in Maitland to get started. We work with clients in Orlando, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Maitland, and across Central Florida. In addition to living wills, we also assist with various other aspects of estate planning. Discover how we can help you protect your family and preserve your legacy.

GET THE HELP YOU DESERVE. CONTACT US TODAY!

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