Preparing a living will is part of a comprehensive advance directive plan regarding your health care wishes. Not only will you assure yourself that your health care wishes will be followed, but you will also take the burden off family members who might be forced to make those health care decisions for you.
A living will is a legal document in which you direct your physician regarding the withdrawal of life support if you become ill and have a terminal condition, are in an irreversible coma or a persistent vegetative state. In a living will you can specify exactly what your doctor is to do if you cannot recover from your illness or accident and are no longer capable of making your own decisions. Your living will addresses what your physician is to do about: