What is a Living Will?

1 min read

A Living Will is a document which states your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment in the event that you have a terminal illness and are expected to die within a relatively short time, or are permanently unconscious. In general, individuals use Living Wills to indicate whether they want certain medical treatment withheld or withdrawn in order to allow a more natural death if the treatment is merely prolonging the dying process or there is no hope of recovery.

Your Living Will is only effective when you are no longer able to make and communicate your own wishes. For example, if you suffer a stroke or are in a motor vehicle accident and suffer a severe brain injury, you may not be able to communicate your wishes. A Living Will in these circumstances helps you communicate your desires about certain medical procedures.

Give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind, and create your Living Will today with Rocket Lawyer.

Start Your Living Will

Make document

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.

Related Guides

Ask a Legal Pro

Our Legal Pros are here for you.

Meet our featured Legal Pros

Try Rocket Lawyer FREE for 7 days

Get trusted legal help at a price that works for you. Your free 7-day trial includes:

Unlimited documents & signatures
Personalize, RocketSign®, and share any legal document you need

Business filings made simple
Start your business, stay compliant, and protect your ideas — all in one place

Ask a Legal Pro
Get answers to your legal questions or have your documents reviewed by a Legal Pro

Retain a Legal Pro
Get personalized help for more complex legal matters

Member-only savings
Enjoy exclusive discounts for Legal Pro services and partner offers

Legal help, anywhere
Use our free app to get legal support whenever and wherever you need it

Try it free for 7 days

SEE MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

Start Your Living Will

Share this

Related Guides

Health Care Power of Attorney Information

When to Update Your Living Will

Organ Donations and The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act

Try Rocket Lawyer FREE for 7 days

Get trusted legal help at a price that works for you. Your free 7-day trial includes: