Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Living Will

This article was edited and reviewed by FindLaw Attorney Writers

| Last reviewed
Legally Reviewed

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.

Fact-Checked

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area.

A Living Will refers to a person's written or oral indication of the types of treatments he or she wants to receive if he or she becomes ill and cannot communicate his wishes at that time. A person who does not want to receive artificial life sustaining medical treatment can communicate this desire in a Living Will.

While the Health Care Proxy names an agent, the Living Will does not name an agent. Instead, the Living Will contains directions that the health care providers follow with regard to the administration of artificial life sustaining treatment. Many states presently have Living Wills statutes.

Was this helpful?

Copied to clipboard