Mandatory living wills?

[survivorinohio]

Medical science has progressed in its ability to save life but the quality does not always survive.  Given that fact,  wouldnt it be prudent to integrate end of life planning into high school curriculum in order to educate young people about their choices and the need for them?

At the age of 18 all adults would then have to complete a living will and renew it on a regular basis, yearly maybe, so that as their perspective changes they can modify the document as they see fit.

So what do you all think?

[mistynights234]

You cant really take away the choice in this matter.  I am all for living wills.....but some folks arent.  This is a personal choice. 

[resamerie]

I think it should be a personal decision. Not mandatory in anyway. BTW, would this mandatory living will happen to be something that would be set up by the government? Because I personally believe that government is too involved in my life and would like to die without having to answer to them also.  

[cjcharlie1959]

First many 18 year olds think they are immortal or indestructable and bit of dare devils.  So even if you make it mandatory, they don't care until a tragic accident happens to one of their friends, them maybe they may take an interest in it.   

[stormcris]

I agree.

Quoting resamerie:

I think it should be a personal decision. Not mandatory in anyway. BTW, would this mandatory living will happen to be something that would be set up by the government? Because I personally believe that government is too involved in my life and would like to die without having to answer to them also.  

[rfourangels]

I guess I don't see the point.

Do you mean for health care decisions; assets/ estate/ etc? (Some states don't have living wills)

I figure that if people don't take responsibility for themselves, then they have to let the government do it. No action becomes someone elses decision. It's simply the consequence, in my opinion, for not acting.

[shecallsmemom04]

LOL, a living will.  well isn't that an oxymoron. 

what does an 18 year old HAVE that would need to be in a will?

i can see wanting to have a will done and have a proxy after you have children, and a house, and have a career with income.  you know investments and assests.  most 18 year olds barely have a pot to piss in.

i know some 18 year olds, and about the only thing they have is DEBT...LOL.

i'm not opposed to giving a class on it and 18 year olds having a proxy for health care decisions is a good idea, but really making it mandatory for an 18 year old to have a will.  gosh, i find that funny.   

[survivorinohio]

A "living will"  is a document which indicates a persons wishes about their care, not their belongings. It would indicate what would be done as far as life support and heroic measures taken.

It really is not related to property at all and it is not necessary to have a lawyer involved it its creation either.  It can include a DNR and other instructions related to medical care.

[EireLass]

I think 18 is too young, or unrealistic for them to even grasp what it's really about and the impact it may or may not have on themselves. I do have one, but only as preparation for surgery 7 years ago. The doctors were doing more to prepare me for death on the table it seemed. haha And it was a routine surgery. I don't think it should be mandatory. If people want certain things done, or not done, then they've already made their wishes known.