A living will is a document used to express your desires regarding the use of life support systems. As durable powers of attorney have come to be used for health care matters, including decisions regarding use of life support, living wills have become less utilized. Most durable powers of attorney for health care decisions incorporate choices for life support.
A living will addresses only the use of life support and is often only binding if executed after you have been informed that you have a “terminal” condition. Other health decisions are not included in a living will.
It is advisable to check the wording of your durable power of attorney for health care decisions for language that addresses the use or removal of life support if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition.