Living wills are informal documents that
are used to inform medical personnel that the signer of the living
will wants to die a natural death and does not want medical treatment
in certain circumstances. The term "living will" is sometimes used as a
generic name for other types of health care documents, such as an
advance health care directive.
The advantages of a living
will are that it is simple to prepare,
does not require a lawyer's assistance, and does not follow any
particular format.
However, the disadvantages
are numerous: Lack of notarization or
witnessing can cause questions about the document's validity,
the mental capacity of the signer, or whether the document has
been signed under coercion or undue influence. Also, a living
will does not have any statutory authority.
Instead of a living will, you should consider
an advance health care
directive. This document is notarized
or witnessed, and its use and general format has been approved
by the state.
