A living will is a legal document that allows individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care in case they become unable to communicate their decisions.
Living wills work by providing clear instructions and guidance regarding an individual's healthcare decisions. It outlines the type of medical care they wish to receive or refuse in certain situations.
Any competent adult who is of sound mind and is capable of making their own decisions can create a living will. Age or specific circumstances do not disqualify someone from creating a will.
A living will can cover decisions regarding life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation preferences, pain management, organ donation, end-of-life care and mental health treatment.
Cost of a living will can vary depending on the location, complexity of the document, and whether legal assistance is sought, but it typically ranges from around $50 to a few hundred dollars.
Living will helps to ensuring that an individual's medical treatment preferences are respected, relieving family members of difficult decision-making burdens & providing guidance in critical situations.