A living will is a crucial component of an advance directive, Which is a legal document that outlines your healthcare preferences in situations where you're unable to communicate your decisions. It serves as a guide for healthcare providers and loved ones, ensuring that your medical care aligns with your values and desires during critical times.

What is a Living Will and Why Do I Need One?

Protect Your Family

A living will relieves your family from making difficult decisions about your healthcare during a crisis. By clearly stating your wishes, you prevent potential disagreements and reduce emotional stress, allowing your loved ones to focus on supporting you instead of guessing your intentions.

Avoid Legal Complications

Without a living will, healthcare decisions may fall into legal limbo, requiring court involvement to determine your care. By documenting your preferences, you eliminate potential legal disputes and ensure decisions are made swiftly and according to your wishes.

Take Control

A living will puts the power in your hands, giving you the ability to dictate your care on your terms. From life-support decisions to end-of-life preferences, you maintain control over your healthcare and ensure your values are respected.

Peace of Mind

Knowing your healthcare preferences are documented ensures your decisions will be honored, even if you cannot speak for yourself. This peace of mind allows you to live confidently, knowing you’ve prepared for the unexpected.

Why Should You Care Now?

Emergencies and unexpected events can happen to anyone at any time. A living will is your proactive plan to ensure that your medical care reflects your values and wishes, even when you’re unable to voice them. Here’s why taking this step matters:

  • Emergencies Can Happen at Any Age
    Medical crises don’t discriminate by age. Whether you’re 18 or 80, a living will ensures your healthcare decisions are clear and respected, no matter the circumstances.

  • Relieve Loved Ones from Difficult Decisions
    Imagine your family having to make life-altering medical choices for you without knowing your preferences. A living will spares them this emotional burden by providing clear directives.

  • Exercise Your Right to Decide
    Your healthcare is personal. A living will puts you in control, guaranteeing that treatments align with your beliefs and values, not someone else's assumptions.

  • Avoid Unwanted Medical Treatments
    Without guidance, healthcare providers may default to aggressive interventions, even if they don’t reflect your wishes. A living will ensures you receive only the care you choose.

  • Plan for the Unexpected
    Emergencies demand quick decisions. By having a living will in place, your healthcare team can act immediately, following your predefined preferences.

  • Provide Legal Clarity
    A legally recognized living will removes uncertainty, giving healthcare providers clear, actionable instructions that honor your choices

  • Protect Relationships
    Tough medical decisions can create rifts between family members. A living will reduces the chance of disagreements, keeping relationships intact during difficult times.

  • Complement Your Broader Life Plans
    Including a living will in your overall planning (alongside financial and personal goals) creates a holistic approach to securing your future.

  • Encourage Open Conversations
    Drafting a living will encourages you to discuss your values and priorities with loved ones, leading to greater understanding and support.

  • Be a Role Model for Others
    By prioritizing your own healthcare decisions, you inspire family and friends to take similar steps, contributing to a culture of thoughtful planning.

How to Create a Living Will

  • Prior to creating your living will, you must decide which medical decisions to include in it, and how you feel about each of them. This includes but is not limited to:

    • Life Sustaining Treatments

    • Life Support

    • End of Life Wishes

  • When you make a living will, you may also create a medical power of attorney. With a medical power of attorney, you name a person (also called your healthcare agent or proxy) to make healthcare decisions for you if you’re unable. They’ll be the point of contact for your medical team, and can help make choices about anything you didn’t cover in your living will.

  • Your living will should exist in a physical form, so you have a hard copy (as well as copies to give to your POA if applicable). You should sign your living will, and have it witnessed and notarized according to your state’s laws. Most states require two witnesses to a living will, and some also require a notary’s seal.

  • Once you’ve completed your living will, store it in a safe place such as a home safe (not a safety deposit box) with any other estate planning documents. You should also give a copy to your healthcare agent (if applicable), your doctor, and your local hospital.

    As you age and things change, your healthcare preferences may change as well. That’s why it’s a good idea to update your living will from time to time to ensure it’s up to date with your current wishes.