Most people put off thinking about living wills because the subject is uncomfortable. But the reason to have one isn't about death — it's about protecting your family from an impossibly hard situation, and making sure you remain in control of decisions about your own care.
A living will is a legal document that tells doctors what medical treatment you do or don't want if you become incapacitated and can't communicate. It's part of what's known as an advance directive — a set of instructions you leave in advance.
What a Living Will Covers
A living will typically addresses:
- Whether you want life-sustaining treatment (such as a ventilator) if you are terminally ill or in a permanent vegetative state
- Your wishes about resuscitation (CPR)
- Whether you want artificial nutrition and hydration (feeding tubes)
- Your preferences for pain management and comfort care
- Organ and tissue donation wishes
It does not cover financial decisions — that's a separate document called a Power of Attorney.
How It Differs from a Healthcare Proxy
A living will tells doctors what you want. A healthcare proxy (also called a healthcare power of attorney or healthcare agent) names a person to make decisions on your behalf. Many people have both — the proxy can interpret your living will and handle situations it didn't anticipate.
Why It Matters for Your Family
Without a living will, medical decisions fall to family members — who may disagree with each other, may not know your wishes, and who are already under tremendous emotional stress. Families have been torn apart by these situations. A living will removes the guesswork and the burden.
"The most loving thing you can do for the people who care about you is to write down your wishes while you still can."
How to Get One
Requirements vary by state — most require the document to be signed in front of witnesses, and some require notarization. Options for creating one include:
- An attorney: The most thorough option, especially if your situation is complex
- Your state's health department: Many states provide free official forms
- Your doctor or hospital: Healthcare providers often have advance directive forms on hand
- Reputable online services: Several provide state-specific forms at low or no cost
Once completed, give copies to your doctor, your healthcare proxy, and a trusted family member. Keep the original somewhere accessible — not locked in a safe deposit box that no one can reach in an emergency.
There Is No Wrong Time — But Sooner Is Better
Living wills aren't just for the elderly or seriously ill. Accidents and sudden illness happen at any age. Having a living will in place before you need it is the whole point.