What Is the Difference Between a Living Will & a Last Will & Testament?
The living will and the last will and testament are documents that let you legally assure that your wishes will be followed near life's end as well as after death.
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What's the Difference Between a Living Will and a Last Will &Testament?
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Living will and last will and testament sound sound similar, but there's a world of difference. The living will specifies what you wish done at the end of your life, while the last will and testament specifies what should happen after you die.
The Living Will
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The living will is a legal document used to make known your desires for treatment to prolong your life in cases where you are so incapacitated you cannot speak for yourself.
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It's Your Doctor's Call
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It does not go into effect until your doctor believes you have no chance of recovery and certifies that you have a terminal illness or are permanently unconscious. Living will regulations vary by state, so consulting an attorney is essential.
The Last Will and Testament
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The last will and testament is a legal document used to specify how you wish your assets to be distributed and how your dependents are to be cared for after you die. In the will you specify who gets what.
Consult a Lawyer
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An executor, whom you name in the will, is charged with seeing that your wishes are carried out. Wills drawn up with the assistance of a lawyer generally stand up better in court.
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