Living Will (Healthcare Directive)

A Living Will (Healthcare Directive) explains your medical wishes when you can’t speak for yourself and your condition is terminal. Use attorney-drafted templates that are simple, secure, and quick to complete online.

intro Living Will (Healthcare Directive)
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Living Wills and Health Care Package

Access essential legal forms to ensure your healthcare wishes are honored and organized.

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Common Living Will (Healthcare Directive) documents

  • Living Will — States your preferences for medical treatment and life support.
  • Advance Directive — Combines a Living Will with a healthcare agent designation.
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — Authorizes someone to make medical choices on your behalf.
  • Health Care Proxy — Names a trusted person to speak with doctors about your care.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order — Instructs medical providers not to perform CPR if your heart stops.
  • Medical Consent Directive — Grants permission for specific medical treatments or procedures.
  • Revocation of Healthcare Directive — Cancels or replaces a prior medical directive.

Similar documents: key differences

  • Living Will vs. Advance Directive — A Living Will covers medical wishes; an Advance Directive may also name a decision-maker.
  • Healthcare Directive vs. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — The directive records your wishes; the power of attorney appoints someone to carry them out.
  • Health Care Proxy vs. Medical Power of Attorney — Often interchangeable terms depending on the state.
  • Living Will vs. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) — A Living Will covers many treatments; a DNR applies only to resuscitation.
  • Advance Medical Directive vs. Personal Directive — Different names for the same document in many jurisdictions.
  • Durable vs. Non-Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — Durable remains valid if you become incapacitated; non-durable ends if you do.

How to get started

Create your Living Will (Healthcare Directive) easily with these steps.

  • Find the template or package that fits your healthcare planning needs.
  • Review the description, preview, and signing details.
  • Unlock full access with a subscription.
  • Complete your directive in the online editor.
  • Export or send — download, email, mail, notarize online, or e-sign (Premium).

FAQs

It tells doctors and family how you want to be treated if you can’t speak for yourself.

No. The Living Will sets out your wishes, while the Power of Attorney names someone to act for you.

Yes. You can update or revoke it anytime while you’re mentally capable.

Share copies with your healthcare agent, family members, and primary care provider to ensure it’s accessible when needed.

It can mention your resuscitation preferences, but an official DNR form is separate and is signed by you and a doctor.

Glossary

  • Living Will — Document stating medical care preferences.
  • Advance Directive — Includes medical wishes and agent designation.
  • Healthcare Agent — Person authorized to make medical decisions.
  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care — Lasts through incapacity.
  • Health Care Proxy — Representative for healthcare discussions.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) — Instruction not to perform CPR.
  • Medical Consent Directive — Approval for specific medical treatment.
  • Revocation — Cancellation of a prior directive.
  • End-of-Life Directive — Details care choices near life’s end.
  • Advance Medical Directive — Another term for a combined Living Will and healthcare proxy.

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