The Living Will document, which you sign, instructs your doctor to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures in the event that at some future time, you are:

1. terminally ill, or
2. have been unconscious, comatose or otherwise incompetent for a specific period of time of no less than 48 hours, or
3. unable to make or communicate responsible decisions about your care.

"Life sustaining procedures" means any medical procedure or intervention that would only to prolong the dying process. "Terminally ill" means an incurable or irreversible condition with no possibility of recovery, as agreed upon by two doctors in writing.

A Living Will can also direct your doctor to withhold or withdraw artificial nourishment if it is the only procedure being provided. If a doctor determines this will cause you pain, he/she will give you enough nourishment to alleviate pain. Through a Living Will, you can direct that artificial nourishment 1) be discontinued immediately, 2) be given to you for the time period you specify in the document, or 3) not ever be withheld. You must clearly choose only one of the three choices and initial that choice on the document.

A Living Will can also contain a written statement indicating your decision about organ and tissue donation.

Any competent person 18 years of age or older may execute a Living Will. If you are physically unable to sign the document, you can direct someone else to sign it for you. Such person cannot be 1) your doctor, 2) his employee or an employee of a health care facility where you are staying, 3) any person to whom you owe money, 4) or any person who believes he is entitled to your estate on your death. It is best to sign your own Living Will. A Living Will must be witnessed by two people. None of the people listed above can witness it.

A Living Will can be destroyed any time you change your mind. You can do this by telling someone, revoking it in writing, or by destroying the document. Let your doctor, family and anyone who has a copy of it know that you've destroyed it.

Advantages to having a Living Will:

1. Difficult decisions about future care are made while you are competent, alert and not sick.
2. Your directions allow you to die under circumstances you have chosen. It makes your wishes clear in the event of a dispute as to what you might have wanted.
3. A Living Will removes the burden of decisions having to be made by grieving loved ones when you are dying.
4. A Living Will can reduce medical expenses.
5. A Living Will states your desires regarding organ donation at your death.

Disadvantages to having a Living Will:

1. A Living Will is effective in a very narrow set of circumstances.
2. The decisions you made may be hard for your family and create disharmony.
3. A parent, adult child, spouse or agent under a power of attorney can challenge the validity of the Living Will in court.
4. Acceptance out-of-state may be a problem.