Photo of attorneys Daryl and Rebecca Lidia

Skilled Oklahoma Estate Planning And Business Planning Lawyers

How does a living will differ from a last will?

by | Jun 29, 2018 | Firm News, Wills

As a resident of Oklahoma currently looking into writing a will, you are going to quickly discover that the process may not be as straight-forward as you think. Not only are there different types of wills, but they each serve a unique purpose and can even be used at many points in your life.

A living will, for example, is different from a last will. FindLaw defines a living will as a type of estate plan meant to address the end-of-life and medical treatment options of the will’s author. Essentially, it’s meant to speak for you if you get into a situation where you aren’t in the right mind to make decisions for yourself. As an example, if you get into a car accident and are in a coma, your living will can dictate how long you wish to be kept on life support.

A last will, on the other hand, is designed solely for the purpose of telling others what you would like done after you have passed away. This can include how you want your property and finances divided, what you want done with your body, how you would like any pets or estate to be handled, and more. This will does not have any impact until after you have died, while a living will is meant to take effect while you’re still alive.

If you are interested in creating a living will or a last will for yourself, you can seek an attorney with experience in wills. They will be able to help guide you through the process and select what you need at your current point in life.

Archives