A Living Will, also known as a Natural Death Declaration, medical directive, and medical declaration, is a document that defines the conditions under which health care professionals should withhold or remove artificial life support, or refrain from using heroic measures, if the person is unable to give informed consent due to incapacity. It is nothing like a stardard will and does not impact who will recieve you assets or have guardianship over your children. A living will should be prepared with an attorney, as you do not want to cut corners when it comes to you health, life, and your family.

A Living Will is a precaution, a preparation for the worst, and everyone should have one. While it is often difficult for young people to consider death, it is a reality that must be dealt with at some point.  It is important to discuss these issues of how you wish to be treated with you family and loved ones, as it will be a great benefit to you and to them, should anything tragic befall you. 

When someone is terminally ill, in a vegetative state, in a coma, or close to death, family members can be emotionally distraught if they do not know the wishes of the dying family member. Does the relative want to be kept alive artificially by a machine or die in a natual manner? A lawyer can help you set down your wishes regarding end-of-life situations in a legally effective and valid manner, in order to spare you and your love ones the additional trauma of uncertainty. Make sure that you have a living will, that it is updated to reflect your wishes, and that it is prepared in a proper manner, so that it is legally binding.