Living Will

A living will is a legal document that states the type of medical treatment a person would like to receive in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves.

They are an important part of the Estate Planning process because it can ensure that treatment preferences are known and followed, even if they are unable to be communicated.

The document can also specify a Healthcare Proxy, a person who can make decisions about their care if they're unable to do so.

Living wills are part of a person's Advance Directive, legal documents that offer a broader range of medical preferences such as pain management, hospice care, organ donation, Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR), Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), and Durable Power of Attorney.

Living wills are legally binding documents and must be executed in accordance with state laws. As such, an Estate Attorney is often hired to help.