What is a living will?
A living will is a type of advance directive that outlines the medical care a person wants or does not want to receive if they become unable to communicate their wishes due to a medical emergency. Living wills are also known as “advance healthcare directives” or “advance medical directives”, and they are legally recognized in Washington state. A living will is an important part of estate planning that ensures that you are able to make decisions about your health care should you become incapacitated or terminally ill. The primary purpose of a living will is to provide instructions to health care professionals about the treatments that a person does and does not want to receive in the event of a serious medical issue. It typically includes specific instructions about treatments such as life-sustaining measures, pain management, medical interventions, and organ donation. A person can also state their preferences for the type of care environment they would like to be in, such as a hospital or hospice setting. It’s important to note that living wills are not legally binding documents and that a person’s medical decisions should be made by their healthcare provider in most cases. A living will only serves as a guide and reflection of a person’s wishes. In addition, a living will can be altered or revoked at any time as long as the person making the changes is of sound mind. In Washington state, adults over the age of 18 with legal capacity can create a living will.
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