What is a Living Will and how does it work?

A Living Will, often referred to as an Advance Directive, is a legal document that provides instructions on medical decisions in the event that a person becomes unable to make those decisions for themselves. This document is commonly used in estate planning law in Maryland because it allows a person to make decisions about their healthcare in case of a medical emergency. A Living Will can include instructions on how a person wishes to be treated in end-of-life care, along with other medical decisions, such as what type of medications, treatments, and procedures they would like to receive. It also allows a person to appoint a healthcare proxy to make decisions on their behalf should they become unable to do so. The Living Will does not become effective until the person is incapacitated and unable to make decisions for themselves. When this occurs, a licensed doctor must assess the patient and verify that they are not able to make medical decisions. The Living Will is then used to help guide the medical team. The Living Will can provide important instructions to a person’s family and healthcare team and can help ensure that the person’s wishes are respected. It is important to note that the Living Will is only used when a person is no longer able to make decisions for themselves, so it is important to keep it up to date and to review it regularly.

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What is a Living Will and how does it work?

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