What is a Living Will?

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Written and Reviewed by Experts: This article was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language.

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 In general, individuals use Living Wills to indicate whether they want certain medical treatment withheld or withdrawn in order to allow a more natural death if the treatment is merely prolonging the dying process or there is no hope of recovery.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.

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Please note: This page offers general legal information, not but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.

Written and Reviewed by Experts: This article was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language.

At Rocket Lawyer, we believe legal information should be both reliable and easy to understand—so you don't need a law degree to feel informed. We follow a rigorous editorial policy to ensure every article is helpful, clear, and as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

About this page:

This article was written and reviewed by Rocket Lawyer editorial staff
This article was last reviewed or updated on Sep 23, 2022

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