What is a Living Will?

A living will, unlike a health care power of attorney, applies only if you have a terminal condition and tells your health care professional whether you wish to have death-delaying procedures. You can write a living will using the standard form, or create your own if you have specific directions about the procedures you wish to have in place. Two people, aside from your health care professional, must witness the signing of the will and you must tell your health care professional if you have a living will or if it has been canceled. If you have both a living will and a power of attorney, the agent will make the primary decisions.

 

Summarized from:

Illinois Department of Public Health