Living Will
What Does Living Will Mean?
A living will is a legal document that outlines a person’s preferences for medical treatment in the event they become terminally ill. It may also include instructions to reject certain medical treatments.
All states recognize this document as legal, and courts within those states are obligated to honor and comply with the instructions it contains.
Insuranceopedia Explains Living Will
Forty-two states, along with the District of Columbia, have specific laws that honor living wills. In states without such laws, courts still respect the document. To ensure that the person’s wishes are upheld, the living will must be written while they are mentally competent, and an unbiased witness should sign it.
If the person who created the living will is deemed unable to recover from an illness and has stated in the will that they do not want their life prolonged through medical intervention in this condition, they will not receive treatment that contradicts these wishes.
