A Living Will is a type of health care directive that lets you define your wishes for medical treatment and care in an emergency situation.
With this form, you can outline what course of action medical workers should take if you fall into a coma or are unresponsive, such as how to prolong your life or manage pain. Having this document in place provides you with peace of mind, and makes your medical wishes clear to your family.
In many states, Advance Directives (health care directives) contain both a Living Will, or a written statement of preferences for medical treatment, and a Medical Power of Attorney, which appoints a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Combining these forms can help ensure medical professionals know how to follow your wishes even if they’re not clearly stated in your Living Will.
Living Will Forms (By State)
Because requirements vary across the US, you need to use a state-specific form to start making your living will.
Simply click on your state below to download a free printable living will form (in MS Word.docx format) that’s legally binding where you live:
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will is a document that tells doctors what end-of-life care and life-sustaining treatment you do (or do not) want to receive if you’re unable to communicate your choices. It provides clear instructions on how to take care of you during an emergency.
For example, this form allows you to explain your wishes regarding life support, organ donation, resuscitation, tube feeding, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and medical and surgical treatments.
It’s different from a Do Not Resuscitate form, which only authorizes healthcare professionals to withhold life-saving treatment such as CPR.
In addition, it is not the same as a Last Will and Testament, which explains how you want your property and other items to be distributed when you die. A Living Will explains your medical care wishes while you are living.
Related: What Is a Living Will?
How to Make a Living Will
Follow the steps below to complete your free Living Will using our document builder or downloadable templates.
Step 1. Outline your treatment preferences
First, decide how you want doctors to treat you during a serious medical emergency. Consider whether you would like to be kept alive by life-sustaining treatments or otherwise allow natural death to occur.
On the form, there are three main treatment decisions you’ll need to describe:
- Preference in case of a terminal condition: An injury or illness where death is imminent.
- Preference in case of the persistent vegetative state: A condition where you are unresponsive and unconscious for an extended period of time.
- Preference in case of end-stage condition: An advanced and incurable condition where you will continue to deteriorate until they die.
For each decision, decide whether you want doctors to try and extend your life through any means necessary, and initial your preference on the form.
Even if you decide against life-saving treatment, you can still specify that you want to be given palliative care, which includes treatments to ease your pain, keep you comfortable, and allow a peaceful death. [1]
Step 2. Establish non-medical arrangements
You can use a Living Will to make religious or spiritual end-of-life arrangements, such as last rites or other religious funeral customs.
You can also specify whether you want to donate your body, organs, and/or tissues for transplantation or medical research. Before donation, your body will be temporarily kept on life-sustaining treatment until organs can be removed.
Step 3. Include guidelines for MPOA agent (optional)
In some instances, you have the option to let your health care agent or representative (if you’ve assigned one in a Medical Power of Attorney) use this document as a suggested guideline or a strict set of instructions.
Initial next to your preference and state that your agent must either:
- explicitly follow your wishes as outlined in the Living Will, or
- be allowed to act independently and in a way they believe would be in your best interest.
Step 4. Get witness and notary signatures
After deciding on your treatment and end-of-life preferences, you’ll need to sign and notarize your Living Will.
Execution requirements vary depending on the state where you’re drafting your form. Most states allow you to choose between using either a witness or notary signature to authenticate your Living Will.
The following people may NOT act as a witness:
- A relative by blood or marriage
- An individual named in your last will and testament
- An individual who may inherit part of your estate
A qualified notary public may be found at your local bank, library, or county clerk’s office.
Be sure to check the signing requirements in your state. [2]
Free Living Will Sample
Use the following blank Living Will as an example to help you write your own. Download the blank template in PDF or Word format and fill it out on your own.
Living Will
Frequently Asked Questions
We analyzed all the information and all the queries out there regarding the creation of a Living Will. Here is a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding this type of document.
What Does a Living Will Do?
A Living Will explains your wishes regarding procedures, medications, or life-prolonging measures in case a situation arises in which you are unable to explain these wishes yourself.
What is the difference between a Living Will and an advance directive?
The difference between a Living Will and an Advance Directive (or health care directive) can vary from state to state.
In some states, an advance directive has the same functionality. In states where they’re separate forms, an Advance Directive encompasses a larger variety of things. For instance, an Advance Directive could include both a Living Will ( which is a type of advance directive ) and a directive concerning organ donation.
What is the difference between a Living Will and a medical power of attorney?
A Living Will is a document specifically outlining your desires for end-of-life care by your own specifications and on your own terms. A Medical Power of Attorney, on the other hand, gives someone you trust the power to make these types of medical decisions for you should you be unable to do so.
Together, both documents allow you to define your medical preferences and ensure your healthcare decisions are respected and followed.
Can you write a Living Will without a lawyer?
Yes, you can write a Living Will without a lawyer. Our online form builder is easy to complete and print out without hiring an expensive lawyer.
What happens without a living will?
You can’t predict when incapacitating illness or injury might occur.
Without a living will, your family members or health care providers may not know your medical preferences regarding life-sustaining and end-of-life care.
What age should you have a living will?
While commonly associated with the elderly, all Americans over the age of 18 years old should consider having a living will.
In particular, you should create one if:
- Traveling abroad for an extended period of time
- Undergoing a planned surgery
- You’ve been diagnosed with a terminal or chronic condition or illness
- You’re engaged in a high-risk profession (i.e. firefighter or police)
- Your religious beliefs prohibit certain life-sustaining procedures
What should be included in a living will?
A standard Living Will includes these elements:
- Declarant: an adult of sound mind who expresses their end-of-life wishes
- Artificially Provided Nourishment and Fluids: preferences for feeding and hydration via a tube
- Witnesses: depending on the state, you may need two non-relatives to act as witnesses
- Notary Public: an alternative or additional witness to certify the validity of your signature
- Signatures: the declarant, witnesses, and notary public must all sign the form
Who needs a copy of a living will?
Now that your living will form is complete, it’s important to circulate copies to the necessary parties.
Deliver a copy of your form to the following people:
- Your primary care physician
- Your local hospital
- Any agents or healthcare powers of attorney
- Your health insurance company (if required)
- Your chosen family members and friends
These individuals and institutions can help file your document with your medical records and other estate-planning documents.
How much does a living will cost?
If you choose to have your living will be drafted by a lawyer, the cost will vary between $200 – $500, with additional notary fees.
If that cost is out of your price range, it’s simple to create a free, do-it-yourself living will online.