Fresno Living Will Lawyer

Have you ever thought about what might happen if your health declines and you need medical treatment, but you are unable to speak for yourself? A living will is a legal document that allows you to outline your preferences for medical treatment if you can no longer make decisions. A Fresno living will lawyer at Fishman, Larsen & Callister can help.

There are many situations when doctors need to make decisions when a patient cannot speak, and having a living will can help families during an emotionally difficult time. To safeguard your health care wishes, it is essential that your documentation is legally sound. When you work with an attorney, they can help ensure everything is valid.

In the United States, approximately 45% of adults have a living will. Generally, older adults more commonly hold living wills than younger individuals. With that said, there is no wrong time to create a living will. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place can give you peace of mind at any age. A living will attorney can help you create a document that reflects your preferences.

Although California law does not require you to hire a living will lawyer, doing so can save you a lot of stress. To us, you are more than just a number. We know that a living will is part of a larger plan for how you want the future to look after you pass. We can work together to create a living will that aligns well with your values and other legal documentation.

When you create a living will with an attorney at our law firm, we can lift significant weight off your shoulders by helping you avoid the entire hassle of probate. With extensive experience working on living will cases, Fishman, Larsen & Callister is ready to assist in every step, even if you have never been to the Fresno County Superior Court before.

A living will is a written legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your wishes yourself. Often confused for a last will and testament or a durable power of attorney for health care, a living will has a different function from these documents, although it does deal with end-of-life planning.

Within a living will, you should have a list of medical decisions that you have carefully thought about. Key elements of your living will should include your stance on the following:

As a type of advance directive, a living will expands upon other end-of-life planning documentation, such as power of attorney. Typically, a living will provides more details about your health care preferences.

There are multiple reasons why you might need a living will. As a legal-binding document, a living will can provide these benefits:

While there are numerous benefits to a living will, you may not have one because you are unsure where to start or there is too much paperwork involved. If this is the case, do not worry; a Fresno living will lawyer can simplify the entire process, from the moment you start drafting your living will to the time you submit it to the Fresno County Superior Court.

According to California’s living will laws, there are several steps you must take to create a valid document. First, you must understand your health care preferences deeply and reflect on your values. Then, you must document your wishes. After drafting your living will, you must then sign in it in the presence of two witnesses. An attorney can guide you through the process.

Q: How Much Does a Living Will Cost in California?

A: The cost of creating a living will in California can vary depending on whether you take a do-it-yourself route or you hire the help of an attorney. Although DIY options can be more affordable, they may not be suitable for complex situations, whereas a lawyer can answer any questions you have. Generally, the more complex your situation is, the higher the cost will be.

Q: Should I Keep My Living Will in a Safe?

A: You do not need to keep your original living will in safe, but you should store it in a secure place that your designated health care proxy is familiar with. Additionally, you should provide copies of your living will to your health care proxy and your medical providers to account for situations where both parties have no access to the original documents.

Q: Do I Need a Living Will if I Already Have a Health Care Proxy?

A: A living will and a health care proxy are different. Your health care proxy is the person who you designate in your advance directive. With both documents being part of your end-of-life plans, your living will provides instructions for your health care proxy to carry out if you are unable to make your own decisions.

Q: What Kind of Attorney Handles Living Wills?

A: An estate planning attorney handles living wills, which are usually part of a broader estate plan that can also include trusts and powers of attorney. When you contact a Fresno living will attorney at our firm, we can offer comprehensive guidance on your long-term goals and how they align with your larger end-of-life estate plan.

If you want to create a living will but need help with the legal requirements, a Fresno living will lawyer at Fishman, Larsen & Callister has the knowledge and experience to create a legally valid document that accurately reflects your health care preferences. Contact us to schedule your consultation and protect your future today.