Health & Benefits

A Living Will tells your health care provider whether you want medical care or death-delaying medical procedures if you are terminally ill. Terminally ill or injured means no medical care will keep you from dying. A Living Will is sometimes called an advance directive.

If you decide to create a Living Will, you should do it as soon as you can. That way, your doctor and family know your wishes about end-of-life medical care. Your Living Will must be signed and witnessed by two “disinterested” witnesses. People who cannot serve as disinterested witnesses are: 

• your doctor and other healthcare providers responsible for your care,
• people who are responsible for paying for your medical expenses, and
• people who could potentially inherit from you. 

Learn more about how to create a Living Will.

Your Living Will is only used if you can't tell your doctor that you do not want medical care that will only make you live longer, but won't heal you. Even if you sign a Living Will, your doctor can give you care that would keep you comfortable, such as pain medication. Also, your doctor can't withhold food and water if that would cause your death by itself. If you are pregnant, your Living Will cannot be honored if your doctor thinks there is a possibility of a live birth occurring. Learn answers to common questions about Living Wills.

You can cancel your Living Will at any time, either verbally or in writing. The best way to do it is by destroying the original Living Will and signing and dating a written note that cancels your Living Will. You can also revoke your Living Will by telling your doctor or someone over the age of 18 that you want to revoke it. Learn more about how to create and cancel a Living Will.