What is a living will?

A living will is an important tool for people in North Carolina who are interested in disability planning law. This type of document allows individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment if they are ever in a situation where they are unable to communicate such desires. A living will is also known as an advance medical directive or healthcare directive. In a living will, an individual will specify conditions that would allow them to receive or refuse certain types of medical treatment. This could include choices such as whether they would prefer to be placed on a ventilator, receive a pacemaker, or have life-sustaining treatment withheld. The living will does not need to be created by an attorney, but it should be witnessed by two people, one of which cannot be a relative. Living wills in North Carolina are legally binding documents, though they must generally conform to certain state requirements in order to be valid. Once an individual has created a living will, it should be stored in a secure location and copies should be given to family members or close friends. This type of document can help ensure that an individual’s wishes are respected in regard to medical care, even if they are no longer able to communicate their desires.

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What is a living will?

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