Why should you use an attorney to draft your living will?

There are many options for drafting living wills. You can draft your own living will, download a form off the internet, or use a pre-made form living will. We do not recommend using any of these options- it is possible you may draft a living will that is not valid (and will not allow your wishes to be followed.) Laws regarding living wills vary by state, and it is important to draft a living will that will be valid in every state.

For example, a hypothetical person lives in San Diego, California and creates their own living will based upon a form they bought on the Internet. This is a very low cost option, and provides peace of mind to the person who purchased it. However, it is possible that there are gaps in the living will, such as burial instructions or providing instructions that are not clear. These forms are not very flexible, such as providing for religious matters. It is also possible that this form living will can not be fully executed (not properly signed), and it will not be valid. Even if this form living will is valid in California, it may not cover you if you get into a serious accident while on vacation in South Carolina- which may have different requirements regarding a living will.

By using our law firm to draft your living will, you can be sure that your living will covers your desires, and will be valid throughout the United States. In drafting a living will, the cheapest option is not the best. The old motto "you get what you pay for" is true. It is not worth saving several hundred dollars only to have a living will that is not valid or enforceable.

For more detailed explanation of living wills (Health Care Directive) please read more of the information on this web site, or contact Achtel Law Firm, APC online or by phone- (858) 350-3124. We offer a free consultation with our living will package.