Popular searches: probate  probate attorney  write a will  

Living Will

A living will is a type of legal document which states an individual's wishes regarding care and treatment if he or she becomes incapacitated. This type of advanced health care document states out instructions in situations listed in the document, such as ceasing or continuing life-sustaining medical equipment. An example of what may appear in a living will might include: "If I suffer an irreversible, incurable, or otherwise undiagnosable disease or condition and the attending doctor determines the condition to be terminal, I direct that life-sustaining measures that would only serve to prolong my dying to be discontinued or withheld". Some specific living wills may also include an individual's desire for antibiotics, hydration, feeding, use of ventilators, and analgesia. However, living wills are generally noted to be limited in scope and may fail to fully address the issues or interfere with advances in medical technology, and thus "second generation" living wills now include: "health care proxy appointment" or "medical power of attorney".

Fast Facts

  • In 2007, 41% of Americans had a completed living will
  • President Obama is the first President to publicly announce he had a living will.

living will - Lawyers, Articles and Q&A

Search Results for "living will"

Articles

Results 1-5 of 2600 for "living will"

Q&A

Results 1-5 of 324 for "living will"

LA-WS4:0.9.17.120126.12696+