What is a Directive to Physicians and Family (Living Will)?

A Directive to Physicians and Family (Living Will) is a legal document that allows you to specify what kinds of appropriate medical treatment you wish to accept or reject if you should become terminally or irreversibly ill and are unable to make your wishes known. Under Texas law, terminal and irreversible conditions are separately defined. A terminal condition is defined as an incurable condition caused by injury, disease or illness that according to reasonable medical judgement, produces death in six months, even with available lifesustaining treatment provided in accordance with the prevailing standard of medical care. For example, many serious illnesses may be considered irreversible early in the course of the illness, but they may not be considered terminal until the disease is fairly advanced. In thinking about terminal illness and its treatment, you may wish to consider the relative benefits and burdens of treatment and discuss your wishes with important persons in your life. ...  more