living will

living will legal document in which a person expresses in advance his or her wishes concerning the use of artificial life support , to be referred to should the person be unable to communicate such wishes at the end of life. A living will usually goes into effect only when two physicians certify that a patient is unable to make medical decisions and that the patient's medical circumstances are within the guidelines specified by the state's living-will law. Typically, living wills are used to direct loved ones and doctors to discontinue life-sustaining measures such as intravenous feeding, mechanical respirators, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation that the patient would reject were he or she able. Without clear and convincing evidence of a person's wishes (such as a living will), life support may be continued indefinitely because of hospital policies, fear of liability, or a doctor's moral beliefs, even if the family believes the patient's wishes would be otherwise. Living wills are often used in conjunction with a health-care proxy , which authorizes a previously chosen person to make health-care decisions in the event of incapacity. Most states have legislation authorizing living wills. See also euthanasia .

Bibliography: See publications of Choice in Dying.

living will (liv-ing) n. an advance decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment. See advance decision or statement.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/RightsAndResponsibilities/Death/Preparation/DG_10029429 Information about living wills from a UK government website