LegalZoom.com Logo
HOME | CONTACT US | MY ACCOUNT | CHECK ORDER STATUS
 
Living Wills
Overview
Check Pricing
3-Step Process
Why LegalZoom?
Education Center
Living Wills Education
FAQ
Glossary

#
Free Estate Planning Guide
Click here to download our comprehensive Estate Planning Guide.
Over 500,000
satisfied customers
World-class customer
service
100% Satisfaction
Guaranteed

Home | Wills & Living Trusts | Living Wills

Living Wills


1. Introduction to Living Wills
Today, life support systems can keep an individual's body alive for years, even if the brain is no longer functioning or the person is in constant pain.

As competent adults, we have a constitutional right to make advance decisions as to whether or not we would like to decline life support when it is clear that death is imminent or a state of coma or vegetation becomes permanent.

A living will is a document which states whether or not you want to be kept on life support if you become terminally ill or are in a persistent vegetative state. In addition, it addresses other important issues such as tube feeding, artificial hydration and pain medication. A living will is only effective if you are unable to communicate your desires on your own.

Just as importantly, a living will can indicate your desire to remain on life support. Whatever your decision, as the Terri Schiavo case has shown, the key is to put your wishes in writing. If you would like to create a legal and binding living will online, LegalZoom can help.
 
LegalZoom Newsletter
Sign up for our free monthly newsletter and receive periodic special offers.
Choose Another Document
About Us | Contact Us | Press | Careers | Articles | Privacy | Affiliate Program | Sitemap
© LegalZoom.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this site is not legal advice, but general information on legal issues commonly encountered. LegalZoom's Legal Document Service is not a law firm and is not a substitute for an attorney or law firm. Your access to and use of this site is subject to additional terms and conditions.
Click here for our full disclaimer. Click here for site directory.
Member Of Verisign  Security