What is a Living Will?
A living will is simply one type of advance directives. A living will gives specific or general instructions as to the kinds of care to provide or withhold, and the type of conditions in which it should apply. Some states have specific requirements for living wills to be valid; Arizona’s requirements are very simple.
An advance medical directive or “living will” is separate from your Will, but may be an important part of your estate plan. It states that in the event you have a terminal, incurable medical condition and your life is only being prolonged by means of artificially provided life support, and if you cannot communicate your desires, the living will “speaks for you” so your doctors know and can act upon, your desires about medical life support. Once executed, the document is effective until you revoked it, which you may do at any time by physically destroying it or revoking it.
A Living Will is a written declaration authorizing the termination of life support or other medical procedures in the event you reach a point where said services are deemed to be of no value to sustaining your life or the quality of life that you desire. The exact text of the Living Will is set forth in the Florida Statutes.
