Living Will
A living will is a document detailing a person’s wishes for medical care and life-sustaining procedures if they are terminally ill or seriously injured and unable to communicate their wishes.
What is a living will?
End-of-life care can be complicated. When an individual is no longer able to make their own healthcare decisions, it can be very difficult for family members or loved ones to know how to navigate the situation. To make the process as easy as possible, it’s a good idea to create a living will.
Living wills are one of the most common forms of advance healthcare directives. They specify how certain medical treatments and equipment like artificial nutrition, ventilators, and other life-sustaining treatments should be used, if at all, when a person is no longer able to communicate these wishes themself.
If you need help creating your own living will, our simple, three-step process can help you start today.
Benefits of a living will
Advance healthcare directives can relieve a great deal of stress for all parties involved and provide peace of mind for those around an individual nearing the end of their life. Some of the main benefits of advance care planning include:
- Personal autonomy. Every person deserves to have control over how they’re cared for near the end of their life. A living will articulates these desires explicitly, helping to ensure their wishes are respected in cases where terminal illness or serious injury makes communicating impossible.
- Conflict resolution. In cases where there is no living will in place, arguments can arise over the best course of action for treatment. Living wills prevent these disagreements by providing a roadmap for family and friends to follow, which can help avoid the need to go to court and set up a conservatorship.
- Advance planning. Knowing your wishes will be respected when you’re unable to advocate for yourself can relieve a lot of stress, especially for people experiencing serious medical concerns or anticipating a drastic change in health.
FAQs
How much does a living will cost?
The cost of a living will depends on your location, the complexity of the will, and if you choose to have an attorney draft the document. An online template might suffice for the simplest living wills, but it’s always a good idea to consult an attorney. More complex financial situations will likely require the assistance of legal professionals, who may charge a flat fee or hourly rates, sometimes totaling several hundred dollars.
Who should get a living will?
A living will isn’t just for individuals who are sick or getting older—they can provide protection and relief to anyone at any age over 18. There’s no way to predict an unexpected medical event or accident, but a living will can provide peace of mind that your wishes will be followed.
Other types of advance directives, like medical power of attorneys and do not resuscitate orders, should also be considered while completing your living will to ensure your wishes are followed as accurately as possible.
How long does a living will last?
A living will does not have an expiration date, but it’s a good idea to review and update it occasionally to ensure it reflects your desires as you grow older. Some people’s opinions of various medical procedures can change over time, and your living will should reflect those feelings as accurately as possible. Most living wills also include a medical power of attorney so that you can appoint someone to carry out your medical choices.
Who should have a copy of my living will?
A living will is an important document to share with your healthcare provider, healthcare agent, and any other healthcare professionals who might need to access it. If you or a loved one are moving into a hospital or nursing home, the healthcare facility should have a copy of your living will included with your medical records.