When planning for the future, many people think a standard will is enough. However, a strong estate plan in Illinois often includes both a last will and a living will. These two documents serve different but equally important purposes. Having both can give you and your family peace of mind. Speak with a Wheaton, IL estate planning attorney to ensure your documents are valid and complete.
How Is a Living Will Different From a Last Will and Testament?
A last will becomes effective after you pass away. It lets you name an executor, choose guardians for minor children, and decide who inherits your property. Without a will, your estate will be divided based on Illinois’s intestacy laws, which may not reflect your wishes.
A living will, on the other hand, has nothing to do with property. It is a legal document used while you are still alive in case you become seriously ill or injured and can no longer communicate or make decisions for yourself. It typically addresses end-of-life care, such as whether you want life-sustaining treatments like ventilators, feeding tubes, or resuscitation. This can ease a significant burden on your loved ones, who would otherwise have to make those decisions for you during a stressful time, hoping they know what you would have wanted.