If you did not learn from the Terry Schiavo situation a few years ago why you should have Advanced Medical Directives, such as a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney, another opportunity to learn the lesson has recently been in the news.
In November of 2012, boxer Hector “Macho” Camacho was shot outside of a Puerto Rico nightclub. Doctors declared the former world champion brain dead not long after the shooting. Despite the obvious dangers of his profession, Camacho did not have any Advanced Medical Directives. His family was left to decide whether Camacho should remain on life support or not. His father wanted to remove life support, but his Aunts were of the opposite opinion. A brief family argument ensued.
There is no reason that your family should have to decide whether to leave you on life support or not, let alone that they should have to argue about it. You can make the decision for yourself now and you should make it. Talk to an estate planning attorney about how to do so.
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