What is a Living Will? (Hint: It Has Nothing to Do With Your Property)

The legal industry is notorious for giving two completely different documents almost the exact same name. The biggest source of confusion for beginners is the difference between a "Last Will" and a "Living Will."

It is easy to assume that a Living Will is just a Last Will that you write while you are alive. That is 100% incorrect.

A Last Will deals with your stuff. A Living Will deals with your body. If you end up in a hospital bed and cannot speak for yourself, your Last Will and Testament is completely useless. Here is exactly what a Living Will is, and why you desperately need one.

1. What exactly is a Living Will?

A Living Will (often called an Advance Healthcare Directive) is a legal document that tells doctors exactly what type of medical care you want if you are terminally ill, in a coma, or permanently incapacitated. It only applies while you are alive, and it expires the moment you pass away.

2. It removes the burden from your family

Imagine being in a severe car accident and ending up on life support. If you do not have a Living Will, your grieving spouse or parents will be forced to make the agonizing decision of whether or not to "pull the plug." A Living Will takes that terrible burden off their shoulders because you have already made the decision for them.

3. What does it actually cover?

A comprehensive Living Will allows you to give doctors highly specific instructions regarding end-of-life treatments. You can state your preferences on:

• The use of ventilators and breathing machines.
• Artificial nutrition and tube feeding.
• CPR and resuscitation orders (DNR).
• Palliative care (pain management).

4. It works alongside a Medical Power of Attorney

A Living Will provides the instructions, but a Medical Power of Attorney (often bundled together) appoints a specific person to enforce those instructions and make other day-to-day healthcare decisions if you cannot.

5. Get complete protection today

You shouldn't have to pay a lawyer hundreds of dollars just to ensure your medical wishes are respected. BudgetWills provides state-specific Living Will templates so you can outline your healthcare directives clearly, legally, and affordably from the comfort of your home.