When planning for future medical care, it's crucial to understand the distinct roles of advance directives, such as a living will and a "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) order. As a local estate planning lawyer, I am often asked questions about living wills and DNR. While both documents are advance medical directives, each has different functions and implications for your healthcare planning and estate plan. 
The Living Will as an Essential Tool in Your Estate Planning Toolbox
A living will is an essential document for conveying your treatment preferences in case you become terminally ill or are in a persistent vegetative state, rendering you unable to communicate your wishes. This document details the circumstances under which you would or would not want life-sustaining treatments to be continued. The flexibility of a living will allow you to revoke or modify it according to your changing preferences. As a Tallahassee wills lawyer, we recommend that everyone have a living will to make clear your wishes regardless of your particular financial situation. It is also advisable that you review your living will and all other estate planning documents before undergoing any medical procedure. Check out our blog post from our Tallahassee Estate Planning Lawyer on why you should review your estate planning documents before any medical procedure.
In creating a living will, you must carefully consider various medical scenarios and specify your wishes regarding life-extending treatments such as ventilation, dialysis, tube feeding, and blood transfusions. This ensures that your healthcare preferences are respected even when you are incapacitated. This is particularly critical if you have religious or moral objections to particular types of treatment.
Demystifying the Do Not Resuscitate Directive (DNR)
On the other hand, a DNR is a specific directive stating that medical professionals should not perform life-saving measures like CPR if your heart stops or you cease breathing. Unlike a living will, a DNR is typically recommended for very elderly or frail individuals for whom aggressive resuscitation efforts might not be beneficial or desired.
Designation of a Health Care Surrogate and Pre-Need Guardian
Besides a living will, it's also advisable for every Florida Estate Plan to designate a health care surrogate and pre-need guardian to ensure comprehensive estate planning for all possible medical situations and so that someone can make decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated.
Consulting with a trust lawyer near you can provide the expertise to navigate these complex decisions, ensuring that your healthcare wishes are documented and respected. Contact our wills and trust lawyer near you to discuss how a living will, DNR and designation of a health care surrogate and pre-need guardian are essential items in your estate planning toolbox.
