[Tired of Taxes]

Living wills should be more specific. That one was too vague.

[Ohioan from Florida]

If nothing more, this case shows that living wills may not be the panacea that the MSM would have us believe. Unless they are very specific, they can be interpreted in many different ways.

Since Terri's case came to light, all we've heard about is how this could have all been avoided by having a living will. However, if the living will is not specific as to times frames or many other circumstances, they could be fatal if that was not what the person in question really wanted.

This is why, IMHO, it is necessary to always err on the side of life when a written living will does not exist. If a person did not feel sure enough to sign one of these documents, then wouldn't it be reasonable that they doubted what they wanted for themselves?

[ClancyJ]

...Living wills should be more specific. That one was too vague.



.....

Yes it was.

Now - be sure to add a few specifics.

If I am determined to be in a total vegetative state with no possible hope of ever coming out of it (after a consult with at least 3 physicians from different locations and with total agreement of my wife, parents, heirs) and after all possible tests to verify the diagnosis plus the time to determine whether healing does come, not to exceed a period of 6 months and not to be less than 3 months, then I wish for all further attempts at healing to be discontinued. However, I do wish for hydration and feeding tube unless death is imminent from my illness.

Should my instructions not be followed as specified, I instruct my attorney to proceed with legal proceedings against the medical facility and doctors and to leave my material wealth to the following charity.

---

Then make sure this is filed in your bank vault and a copy with your lawyer.

[NCLaw441]

In addition to a living will, a health care power of attorney should be executed, giving the named person(s) the authority to make health care decisions on behalf of the patient. In this case it is likely that the wife would have been named, which is pretty standard. Not that I necessarily agree with the wife's decision, but these documents are executed so as to avoid these kinds of situations.

[northernlightsII]

After centuries of litigation over wills and estattes lawyers have yet to make one bullet proof.There is ALWAYS interpretation and review if the heirs think it is worth it.
Nobody is safe with the death advocates roaming the courts.