What Constitutes a Living Will?

A living will is a document that communicates your wishes for end-of-life medical care. It can be very specific (e.g., you want doctors to do everything possible to keep you alive) or more general (e.g., you would like to be kept comfortable and free from pain).

A living will is one part of an estate plan, which also includes things like a will (to designate who will inherit your property when you die), power of attorney (to designate someone to make decisions for you if you're unable to do so), and healthcare proxy (to designate someone to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so).

Having a living will in place is crucial because it ensures that your wishes will be carried out and can help to avoid conflict among family members. It's also a good idea to review your living will periodically and make necessary changes.