Advance notice

National | In the post-Schiavo era, living wills and other directives may not be good enough

As Alan Meyers watched news of Terri Schiavo’s death, he, like many, asked, “What if that were me?”

“If all I need [to stay alive] is food and water, do I want somebody to take them away?” he asked himself. “I think God has me here for His good purpose for however long He has me breathing.” Despite years as an estate-planning lawyer in Midland, Texas, Mr. Meyers is re-examining the state-provided form for the living wills his clients routinely sign, following the March 31 death of Terri Schiavo, who at her husband’s directive was allowed to die of starvation and dehydration. Mr. Meyers realizes that, if he or his clients are in Mrs. Schiavo’s situation, the form he has directs physicians to remove the feeding tube.