Can I Put a DNR in my Texas Living Will?

 Posted on February 06,2024 in Estate Planning

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order and a living will are two entirely different legal documents concerning medical care and directives. It is a good idea to understand the difference between them so that you can better decide on your health in the case of incapacitation. It may be beneficial to retain an attorney who can discuss both documents at length and help you decide which fits your needs best.

Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

A DNR is an advanced directive order signed by a patient’s physician upon their request that does not allow them to be resuscitated if they suddenly stop breathing or go into cardiac arrest. Both the patient and physician need to sign the document and it should be kept in an easily locatable spot. This is to ensure it can be seen or found in the case of an emergency to allow a patient’s wishes to be met.

Living Will

A living will is a document written out to express a person’s wishes concerning any life-sustaining medical treatments in the event of an emergency. The will should detail everything that a person wishes to be carried out if they are in a near-death state or incapacitated. To ensure the document is created properly it should be prepared by a knowledgeable estate planning attorney.

Reasons For Having One Over the Other

Both a living will and a DNR order are useful and should be addressed while creating your estate plan. One key difference between them is that a living will is a legal document while a DNR is a medical document. It is possible to have both and, in some circumstances, a better choice to do so. In any case, your family members should know whether you have either of these documents and should have easy access to them when they are needed

If all you care about is not being resuscitated, then you will only need a DNR. Resuscitation can be traumatizing and you may not wish to go through it, instead opting for a natural death.

A living will is a better option for those with pre-existing conditions or who fear that future medical care may become complicated. In these situations, a living will can serve as insurance that all of your instructions will be followed if you cannot provide them directly.

Contact a Denton County, TX Estate Attorney

Estate planning is more complicated than most people realize. Many documents can appear complex and require the help of an experienced Flower Mound, TX estate planning lawyer to understand and complete them. The Colbert Law Group PLLC can assist with any legal matters of the estate you may have issues with. Contact Stephen at 972-724-3338 to discuss your estate planning needs.