Understanding 'Living Will' and 'Advance Healthcare Directive'

What is an 'Advance Healthcare Directive?'

An Advance Healthcare Directive is a legal document that lets you express your wishes for medical care and appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. It consists of two main parts:

• Living Will: This part outlines your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you might not be able to make decisions yourself.
• Medical Power of Attorney: This allows you to designate a Health Care Agent who will make healthcare decisions for you if you're incapacitated and the situation isn't covered by your Living Will.

What is a 'Living Will'?

A Living Will is a document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment, especially in situations where you may be unable to communicate your decisions. Living Wills may also be known as "Medical Directives," "Healthcare Directives," "Declarations," or "Directives to Physicians." The document in your account will be labeled an "Advance Healthcare Directive.

How does a Living Will function within an Advance Healthcare Directive?

A Living Will is a vital part of an Advance Healthcare Directive. It allows you to clearly state your preferences for medical treatment in situations where you may be unable to communicate your wishes. This ensures your healthcare choices are respected, even if you become unconscious or incapacitated.

How do I create an 'Advance Healthcare Directive' document?

When you purchase an Estate Plan, we create an 'Advance Healthcare Directive' document from the information you provide in the questionnaire.

How to Access Your 'Advance Healthcare Directive' Document

You can view, download, or print your 'Advance Healthcare Directive' directly from the Estate plan documents page:

How to Edit Your 'Advance Healthcare Directive' Document

Although you can't directly modify the final 'Advance Healthcare Directive' document in your Estate Plan tab, you can make changes to the Healthcare section from the Summary tab. These adjustments will be reflected in your 'Advance Healthcare Directive.'