Facing the reality of a terminal illness like mesothelioma is an immensely challenging experience. As the symptoms progress and the disease takes its toll, making crucial end-of-life decisions will become unavoidable. From establishing a living will or power of attorney to planning for your future care, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you do not have to navigate these legal challenges alone. A compassionate mesothelioma attorney can take the stress of these complex decisions off your shoulders so you can focus on your health and family.
At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we are committed to helping our clients contend with their end-of-life decisions and pursue compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial burdens their diagnosis has caused. We understand the gravity of your hardships and will work with you to ensure you can make the best decisions possible about your future. When you retain our services, you can trust that your case is in a seasoned legal professional’s caring and dependable hands.
As you begin to navigate these difficult decisions, creating a will is one of the first and most important steps you can take. This document can designate the division of your assets, caretakers for any children, and indicate how your final expenses will be covered after you pass. Additionally, a will can make navigating the probate process easier for your loved ones.
After your attorney helps you establish a will, you should take time to discuss and consider the following end-of-life decisions:
A living will can specify your wishes regarding medical care and other vital decisions while you are still alive. If you can no longer communicate or make informed decisions about your health, a physician can use a living will to make important choices regarding your care. These types of wills lose legal power once you have passed away.
A living trust is a legal document that serves as an alternative to a will. Through a living trust, you can place your assets into the trust, where they will remain until death. After you pass away, the assets are transferred to your designated trust beneficiaries. Living trusts can make settling your estate quicker and easier than a legal will.
A do-not-resuscitate order (DNR) is a legal document stating a patient does not wish to be resuscitated if they go into cardiac or respiratory arrest. Medical professionals will not perform CPR or surgical resuscitation if there is a known DNR. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can sign a DNR if you so choose. An experienced attorney can help you weigh your options and provide more information.
Many mesothelioma patients choose to designate a power of attorney. This document designates an individual you choose to make decisions on your behalf. Mesothelioma patients often choose someone to make decisions about their medical and financial affairs.
This is not an exhaustive list, and you may wish to consider many other legal and personal matters when crafting your end-of-life plans. Your attorney can help you evaluate your decisions and handle the complex paperwork on your behalf.
If you are facing challenging end-of-life decisions due to a mesothelioma diagnosis, the compassionate legal team at The Williams Law Firm, P.C. is here to help. Our award-winning attorney, Joe Williams, personalized his approach to every client’s needs and can meet you in your home to work on your case. He has 30 years of experience helping mesothelioma patients navigate the legal process and has never lost a case. He understands your unique struggles and will fight for you throughout the legal process.
To schedule a free consultation with a member of our caring legal team, call us today at (855) 575-6376 or complete our online contact form.