by Jim Osborn

Created on: September 13, 2007   Last Updated: March 29, 2011

A living will, also known as a "will to live," is a legal document prepared in advance by a competent person who has strong feelings about the types of care they would like to receive in the eventuality they become incapacitated or terminally ill and unable to communicate.

With any type of terminal illness or accident, decisions of this magnitude can be emotional devastating for survivors and it's important for those left behind to understand how to move forward and to understand the wishes of their loved ones.

Unfortunately another factor that can rear its ugly head into the situation is the financial burden that can be placed on the families depending upon the level of health care coverage that exists.

The costs of health care, especially long term treatments can cost thousands of dollars and life support or other life sustaining methods can financially ruin a family's financial future.

Nobody wants their demise to destroy their family's chance at a normal life and become an economic weight that they have to carry. So many times a living will is designed to not only express final wishes but to facilitate peace of mind as well.

This document is also designed to express to health care providers your directives about how to proceed or in some cases not proceed with your health care should certain unforeseen health issues arise.

Some examples would be the fact that some religions prohibit blood transfusions and this could be clearly stated in a living will. Also some people refuse to have their life sustained by ventilators.

Some living wills may have stipulations against resuscitation or certain surgical procedures, drugs, or may forbid feeding tubes to be used, or have instructions in cases where the patient is in a coma and unlikely to wake.

It is also an option to name an advocate to act on your behalf by filing a durable power of attorney in which case the advocate of your choice would be empowered to carry out your wishes.

It is not required to hire an attorney to prepare this document for you, but for a reasonable fee you can hire an attorney to prepare the papers for you and to make sure that your wishes are faithfully carried out.

A living will is not set in stone, and can be changed at any time. It's a good idea to review your stipulations each year to be sure you haven't changed your perspectives over time and it's important to make sure that if you have chosen an advocate that they are still committed to carrying out your wishes.

Choices such as choosing to disconnect life support or allow certain procedures to be performed can be very difficult and heart-wrenching decisions and having a living will can allow survivors to be spared the difficulty of having to make those kinds of choices.

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