Legal Definitions - living will

A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes for medical treatment if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. It is a type of advance directive that can help ensure that a person's wishes are respected even if they are unable to communicate them.

For example, a living will might specify that a person does not want to be kept alive by artificial means if they are in a persistent vegetative state with no hope of recovery. It might also specify that a person wants to receive pain medication even if it hastens their death.

Living wills can be important for people who have strong beliefs about end-of-life care or who want to ensure that their loved ones do not have to make difficult decisions on their behalf. By creating a living will, a person can have peace of mind knowing that their wishes will be followed.