Document end-of-life preferences in Nebraska: Nebraska Living Will
What is a Nebraska Living Will?
The individual making a Living Will is known as the "principal," and the individuals or entities obtaining authority to carry out the principal's wishes are known as "agents." Suited for residents of Nebraska, this free Living Will is made for use in Sarpy County, Douglas County, Lancaster County, and in all other counties across the state. Any Nebraska Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be edited for your particular scenario. With this document on hand, your medical facilities will have a point of reference for your preferences, and your representative can provide confirmation that they have been given the authority to make choices for you.
When to use a Nebraska Living Will:
- You want to specify your wishes so that it is more likely they will be carried out.
- You are facing the possibility of surgery or a hospitalization.
- You have declining health.
- You have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
Nebraska Living Will FAQs
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How do I write a Living Will in Nebraska?
It is simple and easy to record your medical preferences with a free Nebraska Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make your Living Will - Answer a few basic questions, and we will do the rest
- Send or share it - Go over your wishes with your healthcare agent or seek legal help
- Sign and make it legal - Required or not, notarization and witnesses are encouraged
This solution, in most cases, would be notably less expensive than finding and working with a traditional lawyer. If needed, you can fill out this Living Will on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another family member, and then have that person sign it when ready. Keep in mind that for a Living Will to be accepted as legally valid, the principal must be an adult who is mentally competent at the time of signing. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a court-appointed conservatorship might be necessary. When dealing with such a scenario, it is important for you to speak to a lawyer .
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Why should I have a Living Will?
Everyone over 18 years old ought to have a Living Will in place. Though it is unpleasant to acknowledge, a day could come when you aren't able to make your own healthcare decisions. Here are a few common circumstances in which it may be helpful to make or update your Living Will:
- You are aging or dealing with ongoing health issues
- You currently live in or intend to move into a care facility
- You will be hospitalized for a medical procedure
- You've been given a terminal diagnosis
Regardless of whether this Nebraska Living Will is being drafted as part of a long-term plan or produced in response to a recent change in your health, notarization and witnesses often help to protect your agent if their privileges and authority are disputed.
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Do I need an attorney to review my Living Will in Nebraska?
Making a Living Will is typically easy to do, but you or your agent(s) may have legal questions. Seeking out a legal professional to comment on your Living Will could take longer than you expect if you do it alone. Another approach worth consideration is to request help from the Rocket Lawyer On Call® network of attorneys. Premium members are able to request a document review from an attorney with relevant experience or send additional legal questions. As always, you can live confidently knowing that Rocket Lawyer is by your side.
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What might it usually cost for an attorney to help me make a Living Will in Nebraska?
The fees associated with finding and working with the average lawyer to make a Living Will might range anywhere between two hundred and one thousand dollars, depending on where you are. When you use Rocket Lawyer, you are not just filling out a Living Will template. If you ever need support from a lawyer, your Premium membership offers up to a 40% discount when you hire an Rocket Lawyer network attorney.
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What are my next steps once I make my Nebraska Living Will?
With a Premium membership, you will be able to edit it, save it as a Word or PDF document, or print it. In order to turn your Nebraska Living Will into a legally binding document, you must sign it. You will need to send a copy of your fully signed document to your agent(s), care providers, and other impacted parties.
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Does a Living Will need to be notarized or witnessed in Nebraska?
The specific rules and restrictions governing Living Wills vary in each state; however, in Nebraska, your Living Will needs the signatures of two witnesses or a notary public. Witnesses to your Living Will form should not be your relative/spouse, heirs, or other beneficiaries. Employees of your life or health insurance providers are also restricted, and only one witness may be a director or employee of your healthcare provider. As a general standard, witnesses should be over 18 years old, and no witness should also be acting as your healthcare agent.
