What is a living will?

A living will is a document that an individual creates during their lifetime to describe how they want their healthcare to be managed if they cannot make decisions or communicate their wishes. It can also be called an advance healthcare directive. Living wills are important because they allow a person to choose how their healthcare is to be managed in the event that they are unable to do so themselves due to incapacity or an inability to communicate their wishes. Generally, living wills are used to stipulate a person’s wishes in regards to their healthcare, such as what medical treatments they do and do not wish to receive, as well as who is authorized to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so themselves. Living wills must meet certain requirements in order to be valid in the state of Ohio. These include that the document must be in writing and signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not related to the person making the will or financially interested in the will. The living will must also state the name of the individual creating the will, as well as their address, and it must be signed a notarized to be considered valid in court. Living wills are an important tool for individuals seeking to make sure their wishes are followed in regards to their healthcare in the event they are unable to make such decisions themselves. The laws surrounding living wills are complex, and it is important to work with an experienced attorney to make sure a living will is legally valid.

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