Living Wills & Advance Directives in Columbus, Ohio
Estate Planning Documents Tailored to Your Wishes & Your Family
A living will, sometimes called a health care declaration or advance directive, is a legal document that records your medical treatment preferences if you become incapacitated and can no longer speak for yourself. Without one, those decisions may fall to family members who may disagree or to a Franklin County court proceeding that no one planned for. Getting these documents right matters, and it starts with attorneys who already know your full legal picture.
At Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe, we’ve served Columbus and Franklin County since 1977. Our estate planning practice handles wills, trusts, probate, and advance directives under one roof. That means the attorneys drafting your living will understand how it fits alongside every other document in your plan. That continuity isn’t common. It’s the difference between a form and a strategy.
Ready to put your healthcare wishes in writing? Call us at (614) 665-5833 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a consultation.Why Attorney-Drafted Documents Hold Up When It Matters
Ohio courts may decline to enforce an advance directive that doesn’t meet the state’s execution requirements. Witnessing rules, notarization, and declarant competency at signing all carry legal weight. A form downloaded from the internet may leave gaps that only become apparent in a hospital room or a guardianship proceeding before the Franklin County Probate Court.
We tailor every document to the client in front of us. That means accounting for specific treatment preferences, pain management directives, organ donation wishes, and who steps in as alternate healthcare agent if the first-named person is unavailable. These aren’t afterthoughts. Our attorneys treat every detail as consequential because, in incapacity planning, small oversights can create large problems.
A properly drafted advance directive may also help families avoid contested guardianship proceedings, which are stressful, costly, and often avoidable with the right documents in place. Clear, enforceable documents prepared under Ohio law give your wishes a strong foundation.
Schedule Your Advance Directive Consultation in Columbus
Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe serves clients throughout Central Ohio, with a reputation in Franklin County built on the principles of service and integrity that have guided this firm since 1977. If you’re ready to address living wills and advance directives as part of a complete estate plan, we’re ready to help.
Call (614) 665-5833 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. We can listen to your goals, explain your options under Ohio law, and draft documents that reflect exactly what you want.
Five-Star Client Testimonials
In Their Own Words
At KSR Legal, we prioritize your experience, and it shows. Read some of our client reviews below, or call us at (614) 665-5833 to get started.
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"A Great Experience"
I was very pleased with Mr. Yarmesch, He stayed in contact with me, and returned my phone calls and emails promptly. Most importantly he negotiated a satisfactory outcome.
- Former Client -
"Fantastic Experience!"
Steve is great and willing to help in any way he can!! Suzette doesn't skip a beat, and keeps it all on track!!!
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"Highly Recommended!"
We couldn't be more thankful. Steven definitely made the process very easy and as stress-free as possible.
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"Top-Notch Service!"
KSR is amazing and they are my go-to lawyers!
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"The Best Family Law Attorney!"
Matthew is very professional & knowledgeable. He has helped me in many ways with obtaining shared parenting with my child. He is very professional with time management of deadlines in all cases and really is a overall great attorney to hire for all fam
- Former Client
Ohio Advance Directive Types: Living Wills & Healthcare POAs
Ohio law recognizes two primary advance directives, and most estate plans benefit from having both. Understanding what each one does, and when it activates, helps you make informed decisions about what your plan needs.
Living Will Declaration
A living will declaration, governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2133, activates only in specific circumstances: when you’re in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious and can’t communicate your wishes. It records your preferences about life-sustaining treatment: mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and hydration, and resuscitation. It speaks for you in the situations where the stakes are highest and communication is impossible.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
A durable power of attorney for health care appoints a trusted person, called your healthcare agent or attorney-in-fact, to make medical decisions any time you can’t communicate, not only in end-of-life situations. This broader scope makes it a practical complement to a living will. Where the living will provides specific written instructions, the durable power of attorney for health care provides a named decision-maker for situations those instructions don’t explicitly address.
Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
A do-not-resuscitate order is a separate, physician-documented directive instructing medical personnel not to perform CPR if breathing or heartbeat stops. It isn’t drafted by an attorney, but it can be requested in conjunction with a living will. We can help you understand when this document fits your situation and how to coordinate it with your other directives.
Working With Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe on Your Advance Directives
Our process starts with a consultation focused on your healthcare values and preferences. We ask the questions that surface what matters most to you: treatment preferences, family dynamics, and who you trust to act as your healthcare agent. From there, we draft documents that reflect those preferences precisely and walk you through a review period to confirm every detail before signing.
Execution follows Ohio law’s requirements so the documents can hold up when presented to a physician or medical facility. After signing, we help you understand how to distribute copies to your doctor, your named healthcare agent, and any relevant healthcare facilities. Under Ohio law, any attending physician furnished with a copy of your living will is required to make it part of your medical record.
Clients who have already worked with us on a will or trust bring attorneys who already understand their family structure and goals. That context can shape better documents. If you’re new to Kemp, Schaeffer & Rowe, advance directives are a natural starting point for a broader estate planning conversation.
