Living Wills: Protecting Your Dignity and Your Family’s Peace of Mind
In the most difficult moments of life, one of the greatest gifts you can give your family is clarity about your wishes. While a Healthcare Surrogate Designation names the person who may make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot, a Living Will provides instructions about your wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures in certain serious medical circumstances.
At Marissa Petillo Law, we take a heart-centered, thoughtful approach to these deeply personal decisions. We provide personalized legal guidance to individuals and families in Winter Garden, Clermont, Windermere, and throughout Central Florida who want to document their healthcare wishes and give their loved ones clearer direction during a medical crisis.
What is a Florida Living Will?
A Florida Living Will is a formal advance directive that allows you to express your wishes regarding life-prolonging procedures. Under Florida Statutes Chapter 765, a Living Will may address these decisions if you are unable to make or communicate your own healthcare decisions and have been determined to have a terminal condition, an end-stage condition, or to be in a persistent vegetative state. Florida law provides specific requirements for creating and executing a Living Will.
The goal is to make your wishes known in advance so your healthcare providers and loved ones have clear guidance about the care you would want in these circumstances.
Terminal Condition
A condition caused by injury, disease, or illness from which there is no reasonable medical probability of recovery and which, without treatment, can be expected to cause death.
End-Stage Condition
A condition involving severe and permanent deterioration, with incapacity and complete physical dependency, for which treatment would be medically ineffective.
Persistent Vegetative State
A permanent and irreversible condition of unconsciousness involving the absence of voluntary action or cognitive behavior and an inability to communicate or interact purposefully with the environment.
Why a Living Will is an Act of Love
Making your healthcare wishes known in advance can be a meaningful gift to the people you love. A clear, properly executed Living Will gives your family and healthcare providers guidance about your wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures if you are unable to communicate or make those decisions yourself.
By documenting your wishes with Marissa Petillo Law, you can:
Provide Clear Guidance
Give your loved ones and healthcare providers clearer direction about your wishes for life-prolonging procedures.
Express Your Wishes
Document your preferences regarding life-prolonging procedures, including your wishes about artificial nutrition and hydration when applicable.
Preserve Your Voice
Put your healthcare wishes in writing so they can be considered if you are unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself.
The Marissa Petillo Law Difference
We understand that conversations about end-of-life care can be deeply personal. We don't simply hand you a form and send you on your way. We take the time to understand your values, your wishes, and what matters most to you.
Whether you are a young parent in Horizon West beginning to think about these decisions or a retiree in The Villages looking to put your wishes in writing, we help you create a Living Will that reflects your intentions and is prepared in accordance with Florida law—with the thoughtful guidance and compassion your family deserves.
Building a Complete Advance Directives Suite
A Living Will is one important part of a comprehensive Florida advance directive plan. Depending on your circumstances and goals, it may be appropriate to coordinate your Living Will with other documents, including a Healthcare Surrogate Designation and Durable Power of Attorney.
Together, these documents can help provide clearer guidance about your healthcare wishes and who may act on your behalf when you are unable to make or communicate decisions yourself.
| Planning Document | Role in Your Plan |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Surrogate | Designates a person to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. |
| Durable Power of Attorney | Allows you to designate someone to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf during your lifetime, as authorized by the document. |
| Revocable Living Trust | Can provide a framework for managing trust-owned assets during your lifetime, including if you become incapacitated. |
Secure Your Wishes Today
Your healthcare wishes deserve thoughtful consideration and clear documentation. A Peace of Mind Planning Session gives you the opportunity to discuss your goals, ask questions, and explore the advance planning documents that may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Schedule a Peace of Mind Planning Session today and take a meaningful step toward making your wishes known and giving your loved ones greater clarity.
Marissa Petillo Law
Serving individuals and families in Winter Garden, Windermere, Horizon West, Ocoee, Clermont, The Villages, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Wildwood, and surrounding Central Florida communities.
Call or Text: (407) 219-9107