What Is a Living Will?

You probably know that you need to prepare for when you die and set up an estate plan or will that dictates what happens to your assets and other responsibilities upon your death. However, what happens if you become incapacitated and can no longer make decisions for yourself, but you are still alive? Do you want to place the burden of making decisions for you on the shoulders of your loved ones who are probably already going through a lot of turmoil over your current state of health? Most people would hate to do that. You have an option in Ohio which is to create a living will.

The Ohio Hospital Association explains that a living will is a legal document that allows you to say what you would like to happen with your care if you were to become incapacitated. It lets you also appoint someone to make decisions for you on all matters. This document also allows you to state that you wish to donate organs and tissue.

Your living will become active if you are permanently unconscious or otherwise unable to state your wishes due to a terminal illness. Two doctors must check over your physical condition and sign off that you will have no chance of regaining consciousness before your living will becomes active.

You must fill out a living will form to create the document. It requires you to dictate your wishes regarding life support and other life-sustaining measures, such as the use of a feeding tube. It also requires two witness signatures along with yours. This information is for education and is not legal advice.