What is a living will?
A living will is a written directive stating your preferences for medical treatment at the end of life, such as whether to use life support or resuscitation, in case you become unable to communicate those wishes yourself.
A living will is a legal document in which you record your wishes about medical treatment if you become seriously ill or injured and cannot speak for yourself. It addresses end-of-life scenarios such as whether you want to receive life support, artificial nutrition or hydration, resuscitation, or pain management in terminal conditions.
This document takes effect immediately upon your incapacity, allowing doctors and family to follow your stated preferences without guessing what you would want. A living will differs fundamentally from two other estate planning tools. A last will and testament distributes your property after death and takes effect only after you die. A health care power of attorney names a person to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot, and that agent can adapt decisions to changing circumstances (whereas a living will states fixed wishes in advance).
In North Carolina, a living will is recognized as an "advance directive for health care." Creating one prevents the burden of families trying to determine your wishes during crisis and ensures your values guide medical care when you cannot advocate for yourself. An estate planning attorney can draft a living will that complies with state law and coordinates it with other documents like powers of attorney and wills to create a complete end-of-life plan.