A good estate plan is not only about what happens at death. A good estate plan will also protect you at incapacity. A basic disability plan includes the following:
Durable Power of Attorney: A Durable Power of Attorney is a legal document that give someone the authority to conduct business and manage your financial affairs for you if you are unable to. A durable power of attorney remains valid through your incapacity.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: A Durable Power of Attorney for health care designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yours. The durable health care power of attorney applies to all instances when you are incapacitated, not just if you are terminally ill. The scope of the durable power of attorney for health care goes beyond that of a living will.
Living Will: The purposing of a living will to express your desire not to receive extraordinary medical treatment life-support treatment in the event that you become terminally ill. It is a legal document which directs your physician to discontinue life-sustaining procedures if your are in a terminal condition or a permanently unconscious state. It is considered a final expression of your right to refuse medical treatment, which should be followed by your physician.
People execute living wills so that family members or loved ones are not put in the position of having to decide to terminate or continue life sustaining treatment when there is no hope of recovery.