A living will form is a legal document that guides what a person wants for their end-of-life care and medical treatment. It is also known as an advance directive. The living will is only valid until death and helps doctors provide medical care based on the treatment preferences stated in the document. This is especially important around situations such as Do Not Resuscitate (DNR). A living will be used in conjunction with a Medical Power of Attorney, appoints a health care agent to make critical health care decisions on a patient's behalf. You can download and print a blank living will template here.
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A living will specifies a person's wishes regarding medical treatment; specifically, end-of-life treatments. This form is prepared as an advance directive—before it is needed—and it is used if you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself due to severe injury or a terminal condition. It will typically detail organ donation and any Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. It may also be used for people who wish to refuse certain types of medical treatment for personal or religious reasons, such as blood transfusions or life support should they fall into a coma.
Advance healthcare directive
Advance directive
Directive to medical professionals and family or surrogates
Instructional directive
To write a living will, you can fill out the form online and then have it notarized. If you seek further legal advice, you may wish to visit a law firm to draft and notarize the living will. You can start a will on behalf of a parent, spouse, or other family member, then help that individual sign the will after you have drafted it.
Every state has its own state-specific requirements for a living will. Regardless of the state you live in, it's recommended to have your living will signed by at least one witness and/or a notary public to reinforce its legitimacy.
With FormSwift, you can create a living will and other specific forms for a low cost. It’s not hard and doesn’t take long, but you’ll need to know the answers to the questions below.
Whether a doctor or attending physician should perform CPR if your heart stops beating
Whether you should be placed on and/or kept on life support or life-sustaining treatment if in a coma
Whether you want artificial nutrition if you cannot eat or drink on your own
Whether you want dialysis if your kidneys fail
Whether you want antibiotics or antiviral medications to treat infections
Whether you want to die naturally or receive comfort care
Whether you want to receive care in a nursing home, at home, or in another care facility
Whether you want to donate your body to medical research and study
Every legal adult should have a living will. It makes sure that your wishes are honored in the case that you can no longer make your own medical decisions. This also reduces stress on your family and loved ones.
You should consider encouraging other family members to create a living will as well. This can be a difficult conversation. Here are a few suggestions on how to sensitively raise the topic.
“If something happens to you, I want to make sure I honor your wishes. Do you have a living will?” If they say that they do not, ask if they’ve considered creating one.
“If you’re ever on life support, I’m not sure I would be in the right frame of mind to make medical decisions on your behalf that would honor your wishes. I think it would give us both some relief if you outlined what you want in a living will.”
Living Wills have no effect after death. Their purpose is to ensure that you receive the care you want while you are living and unable to make your own medical decisions.
A Power of Attorney form provides authority to another person to make decisions, such as healthcare choices, on your behalf. This can include managing your finances or business and estate planning.
A Last Will and Testament dictates the terms by which your assets are distributed upon your death. It takes effect after death, while a living will focuses on care prior to death.
A Living Will establishes your wishes in relation to medical treatments in the event of your being unable to express your preferences for treatments, or withdrawal thereof. It establishes in advance your best interests and opinions in relation to quality of life, thus minimising differences of opinion amongst loved ones to whom the decisions would otherwise fall.
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A power of attorney is used to name another person to take care of your personal or business affairs. These documents can be temporary, such as when a member of the military is deployed overseas, or they can be permanent.
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A Health Care Proxy allows you to arrange for your preferred health care treatments to be pre-arranged in the unfortunate circumstances of your becoming unable to express your wishes. It legally authorizes your preferred appointed person to make choices on your behalf and protect your interests.
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A Medical Consent Form legally protects a vulnerable person, such as a child, elderly or disabled person and ensures they receive appropriate treatement when needed in the absence of a key care giver. It protects the treatment provider by giving them the right to carry out appropriate treatments.
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