If you had a crystal ball and could see into the future, one of the things you would probably want to know is when you will die. Most likely you would also want to know the circumstances surrounding your death such as whether or not you will die quickly or will you require medical treatment? Since working crystal balls are a true rarity, the closest thing you have to seeing into the future and managing the circumstances accompanying your death is a living will.

A living will is one of two legal documents that are known as advance directives. An advance directive is a document that is prepared by an adult who is still competent to do so, which outlines his/her specific desire to refuse all, or some forms of medical treatment. It also specifies under what circumstances this refusal would apply. It only comes into effect when that person is unable to make a decision or communicate that decision. Think of the living will as a document you write when you are mentally capable and is used when you have lost the mental capability to participate in the decision making process regarding your treatment.

A living will is not the same thing as a Last Will and Testament. A living will is a set of directives to be used by your doctor while you are still alive; while a Last Will and Testament outlines instructions to the executor of your estate that are followed after your death. A living will is also different from a Health Care Power of Attorney, which is the other advance directive document. When you prepare a living will, you don't appoint another person to speak for you. You speak for yourself through the written document.

What are the advantages to creating a living will? It helps to ensure that there will be order during a time that might otherwise be chaotic. If you have strong religious convictions regarding a particular situation you may choose to have these feelings stated through a living will. You can control things like having a limb amputated following an accident or having a blood transfusion through the living will. If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness or with a degenerative form of dementia, a Living Will would indicate the treatments you would find acceptable or prefer not to receive while you are still in a position to make such decisions.

Preparing it can be an impetus that encourages you to talk to and ask questions with your doctor during the early stages of an illness so that you can prepare for what is coming and decide the best course of treatment for yourself. It can provide you with an opportunity to discuss difficult issues with family and friends. This could also help to relieve them from having to make difficult decisions at a very stressful time.

Keep in mind that a living will is a legal document authorized by statutes in all states. In most states medical associations or other experts have developed the basic language for such documents. The decision to terminate medical care must be made in consultation with your doctor and it must be followed once the decision has been made. The living will allows a terminal patient the control necessary to die with dignity.

Return To Index