By David C. Minicozzi, Attorney at Law (Branford, CT)

A “Living Will” is an advance directive that allows removal from life support if you are found to suffer from a “terminal condition” and to be “permanently unconscious.” Connecticut law discusses at least three types of advance directives in this area. Each one is a bit different from the other two. They are not “one size fits all.” The proper advance directive should depend on whether you want to: simply choose a person to make health care decisions for you, give that person the additional power to make end-of-life decisions, name a Conservator to make health, financial and other decisions if you are incapacitated but not terminal and unconscious, and/or make anatomical gifts. These choices have legal consequences. They should be carefully considered and discussed with an attorney to be sure they fit your circumstances, that the documents are properly written, and that they are properly signed, witnessed and acknowledged. The time to find out you made the wrong choice, or that the documents were improperly drafted, is not when you are in the hospital.

In today’s world, an unfortunate trend exists to discount the use of an attorney in certain type of situations. People are told “oh, it’s just a simple transaction,” or “anyone can write that,” or my favorite, “you can save time and money by having a notary or a paralegal do it, or even do it yourself.” Maybe. But by the time you find out a mistake was made it may be too late.

Don’t let that happen to you. Call The Law Office of David C. Minicozzi 203-483-7069 or 203-804-0841 to schedule a consultation today.