Living Will Attorney

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Secure your future with a living will in Columbus, Ohio.

Planning for the future isn’t just about finances—it’s about making sure your medical care aligns with your wishes, even if you’re unable to speak for yourself. A living will is a powerful tool that allows you to do just that. If you’re searching for an experienced living will attorney in Columbus, Ohio, we’re here to guide you through the process.

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What is a Living Will?

A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment in the event that you become incapacitated or unable to communicate your wishes. This document comes into play during situations like terminal illness, severe injury, or permanent unconsciousness.

“I went to Mr Bendig to update my will and put a living will in place. He was patient and kindly expressed the best options to avoid end of life hassles for my heirs.”

– Janice S. (Google Review)

Key Components of a Living Will:

- Life-Sustaining Treatment: Specify whether you want treatments such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, or resuscitation if you are terminally ill or in a vegetative state.
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders: Indicate whether you wish to have a DNR order in place, which tells healthcare providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops.
- Pain Management and Comfort Care: Outline your preferences for pain relief and palliative care, ensuring your comfort in end-of-life scenarios.
- Organ Donation: You can also include your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation in your living will.

a man and his grandchildren playing after writing a living will

We provide guidance with your living will declarations.

It is your living will. Therefore, it should reflect your choices. Your living will precisely addresses the type of care to accept or deny if your doctor should determine that you are in a terminal condition and/or a state of permanent unconsciousness. Failure to address certain types of care, however, may result in the doctors having no choice but to continue to provide such care, incurring huge medical expenses for your loved ones.

Although it is not mandatory to use the statutory form for your advanced directive for health care (or living will), the following are examples of life-sustaining care that are addressed on the state declaration form.

Respiration

Feeding Tubes or IV fluids

Dialysis

Antibiotics

Cardiac resuscitation

Blood transfusion

Surgery or invasive procedures

Dialysis

Antibiotics

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(614) 878-7777

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How to Create a Living Will in Ohio

Creating a living will in Ohio involves several steps, and working with an experienced living will attorney can ensure that your document is comprehensive and legally sound.

Steps to Creating a Living Will:

Consultation: We will meet with you to discuss your healthcare preferences and explain the options available to you.
Drafting the Document: Based on your wishes, we will draft a living will that clearly outlines your medical treatment preferences.
Review and Sign: Once the document is drafted, you will review it to ensure accuracy. After finalizing any necessary changes, you will sign the living will in the presence of witnesses.
Distribution: Copies of your living will should be given to your healthcare providers, close family members, and anyone else who may need to make decisions on your behalf.

When does a living will get put into effect?

Your living will must be signed and a copy provided to your doctor. It will become enforced when your doctor determines that you are in a state of permanent unconsciousness or in a terminal condition AND another doctor has confirmed this assessment. Only then, doctors must follow the declarations stated in your living will.

With Charles Bendig, you get an experienced living wills attorney who can give you the personalized legal guidance you can trust. You speak directly with your attorney. Chuck takes your calls and will be right there beside you. Let’s get started.