Practice Subgroup

End-of-life and surrogate decision making

Now is the time for clients to plan for care during their final days - before illness happens. Talking about and planning for the end of life is the best way to ensure a client's wishes will be achieved and that they will be able to live their life to the fullest until the end, while reducing stress and depression among loved ones.

With advance-care planning, often through documents known as "living wills," a client can set down how they would like to be treated at the end of their life. A living will can pinpoint the kinds of medical and resuscitation services preferred, and a client can appoint people they trust to serve as their surrogate decision maker.

Unlike traditional wills, living wills provide instructions during one's lifetime. Living wills provide clear instructions regarding life support in the event of a tragic injury or illness. Living wills are often used in conjunction with healthcare powers of attorney, which provide legal authority to a trusted individual to make other important healthcare decisions in the event that they become unable to make these decisions alone.

Our highly experienced estate planning attorneys assist individuals and families with implementing an end-of-life plan.