Terri Schiavo's case reminds each of us of the importance of having a Living Will

Each of us have rights concerning our health care. You have the right to accept or refuse treatment, and to determine in advance your wishes regarding medical decisions should you become incapacitated.

The two most common documents used to express our health care wishes are Living Wills and Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care. To make a Living Will, Georgia residents should use a form approved under Georgia Law.

Forms are available from several sources, and most local hospitals will provide you a statutory form. After completing the form, you should distribute copies to your immediate family, your doctors and your hospital.

A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a legal document that allows you to name another person to make health care choices for you in the event that you cannot make them. Unlike a Living Will that deals only with terminal illness, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care can relate to any medical condition.

Even though an attorney is not required to finalize these important documents, it is recommended that every Georgia Baptist seek the counsel of an attorney for their estate planning needs.

A Georgia Baptist Foundation representative is available to come and speak to your church group about the importance of Christian Estate Planning.

Please call us at (770) 452-8338 or (800) 452-9064.