Living Will

What Is A Living Will?

A Living Will is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes regarding life-prolonging medical treatment if you become unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.

In Florida, a Living Will allows you to state your wishes regarding life-prolonging treatment if you become unable to communicate and are determined to have a terminal condition, end-stage condition, or persistent vegetative state.

A Living Will may also address your preferences concerning artificial nutrition and hydration, pain management, comfort care, and other end-of-life treatment decisions.

By putting these wishes in writing, you provide clear guidance to your physicians, healthcare surrogate, and family members during an otherwise difficult and uncertain time. Without a Living Will, loved ones may be left to make important medical decisions without knowing exactly what you would have wanted.

A properly prepared Living Will helps ensure that your healthcare preferences are known and respected when you are no longer able to speak for yourself. It can also reduce conflict among family members and provide reassurance that decisions are being made in accordance with your wishes.

A Living Will may also be referred to as an advance directive or a declaration regarding life-prolonging procedures. Whatever the terminology, the purpose is the same: to clearly communicate your healthcare wishes in advance.

At Alterman & Poltun, we prepare Living Wills as part of a comprehensive estate and incapacity plan, together with documents such as a Designation of Health Care Surrogate and Durable Power of Attorney.