Living will is a document that states the kind of medical care an individual would want or not want if, due to injury or disease, the person could not communicate his or her wishes. It is called a living will because, unlike a regular will, it becomes effective while the person is still alive. A living will might refuse certain treatments, such as restarting the heart or using a feeding tube.
A living will is useful because, unless told otherwise, a physician may assume that the patient wants to be kept alive as long as possible. Patients should share their living will with their doctor and loved ones. Many states have laws on the preparation of living wills. Some recommend or require the use of a special form.
A living will is a type of advance directive for the planning of medical care. The other main type is a proxy appointment, which designates another person to make decisions for the patient if the patient is unable to do so.
