What is a living will?

A living will is a legal document that is used in California to help people plan for their health care in the event they are unable to make those decisions themselves due to illness or disability. It is sometimes referred to as an advance directive or health care directive. A living will can help individuals ensure that their wishes will be respected if they become incapacitated and cannot communicate their preferences for medical care. In a living will, an individual can legally express their medical wishes in case of a medical emergency. As the document is legally binding, it allows the individual to make their wishes known and ensure that their preferences will be respected by medical professionals. For example, an individual can specify what types of medical treatments or life-sustaining measures they do or don’t want administered to them. They can also name a health care agent who will make sure their wishes are followed. Living wills are an important part of disability planning law in California. It is important to note that living wills must be updated as individual circumstances change. Individuals should also create a durable power of attorney document in case they become incapacitated and need someone to make medical decisions on their behalf.

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