Scope of Treatment
Describe which interventions you consent to or refuse, such as CPR, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, artificial nutrition and hydration, and antibiotics for life‑prolonging care.
A Living Will makes your treatment preferences explicit, reduces uncertainty for family and providers, and can speed clinical decision making when you lack capacity. It documents choices that might otherwise be disputed during serious illness.
Adults who want to record healthcare preferences without giving another person full decision-making authority often create a Living Will.
The document is useful for anyone over 18 who wants to reduce ambiguity and communicate end-of-life choices to clinicians and loved ones.
An individual age 18 or older who creates the Living Will. They must be competent when signing; the document states treatment preferences if capacity is later lost and serves as the declarant of medical intent.
A nominated surrogate in a separate durable power of attorney for health care who uses the Living Will to honor the principal's specific treatment directions when making decisions on the principal's behalf.
Describe which interventions you consent to or refuse, such as CPR, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, artificial nutrition and hydration, and antibiotics for life‑prolonging care.
Define clinical circumstances that trigger the directive, for example irreversible coma, terminal condition, or persistent vegetative state, so clinicians can apply your instructions.
State preferences for pain control and palliative care even when other life‑sustaining treatments are declined, ensuring symptom management remains prioritized.
Indicate whether you authorize organ or tissue donation and any limits or conditions on donation after death.
Clarify whether a named healthcare agent may override or must follow the Living Will and under what circumstances to reduce ambiguity.
Include signature, date, witness statements, and notary acknowledgment if desired or required by the jurisdiction to strengthen enforceability.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Authentication | Email link or SMS code; consider stronger ID for health records |
| Witness Capture | Add witness signature fields with signed date stamps |
| Notary Option | Include notary block for in‑person or RON where allowed |
| Audit Trail | Enable full event logging: IP, timestamp, and signer attribution |
Use a platform that supports PDF and DOCX, records an audit trail, and can add witness and notary fields when required.
Ensure chosen tooling meets healthcare privacy controls and preserves a tamper-evident audit trail while allowing secure distribution to clinicians and agents.
Execute when competent; no external filing required
Review every 3–5 years or after major health events
Update after marriage, divorce, diagnosis, or relocation
Check new state rules; update if local format differs
Revise if you change your healthcare agent or preferences
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Available | Available | Available | Available | Varies by plan |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |