If you’re married you have the choice of each spouse getting a single trust or getting a joint trust together. Figure out which type of trust you need: Single people only have the option of a single trust.For example, a power of attorney for health care.Here are the steps you’ll need to take to create a living trust in the Land of Lincoln: But you should talk to a lawyer about options other than living wills. You do not need a lawyer to make a living will.
Do I need a lawyer to make a living will? Your living will does not apply any other time.
A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) tells doctors not to restart your heart or breathing.Ī living will applies to medical care that can only delay your death when you have a terminal condition. How is a living will different from a DNR order?ĭoctors normally give you CPR when you stop breathing or your heart stops. If you are an organ donor and have a living will, your doctor can still give you care to protect your organs. You are pregnant, and the doctor determines that your fetus could live.You have an agent named in a power of attorney who is available to make the decisions for you, or.Your living will is not used if any one of the following is true: You can't tell the doctor what you want and don't have an agent named in a power of attorney who is available to decide to delay your death.Your doctor confirms that you have a terminal condition in writing in your medical record, and.You have been diagnosed with a terminal condition,.Your living will is only used if all 3 of the following are true: Also, your child can't be a witness if they will receive money or property from you if you die. A witness can't be responsible for your medical care and can't inherit property from you when you die. Illinois will follow a living will that was correctly created in a different state. When a notary signs your living will, it proves to everyone else that you signed it. It is more likely that another state will follow your living will if you sign it in front of two witnesses and a notary.įor example, your doctor can't be a witness because they will give you medical care if you are sick. Two adults have to witness and sign the living will. Are 18 years old or older, or an emancipated minor,.You can make a living will for yourself if you: Also, your doctor can't withhold food and water if that would cause your death by itself. Terminally ill or injured means no medical care will keep you from dying. Your doctor can give you care that would keep you comfortable, such as pain medication. Artificial maintenance of blood pressure.Įnd-of-life medical care is the care a person receives when they have a terminal illness or terminal injury.Artificial maintenance of metabolic rates,.Chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery for cancer,.Your living will tells your doctors not to give you any medical care that only lets you live longer before you die.Įxamples of medical care that might not heal you include: It is sometimes called an advance directive. Your living will is only used if you can't tell your doctor that you do not want medical care which will only make you live longer but won't heal you. For example, you might be in a coma, and there is no medical care that will wake you up, or keep you from dying.
That way, your doctor, and family know your wishes about end-of-life medical care in case you get a terminal condition. If you decide to create a living will, you should do it as soon as you can.