What Is The Difference Between A Living Will And An Advance Directive?

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What Is The Difference Between A Living Will And An Advance Directive?

A living will is a more limited type of advance directive because you only make decisions about lifesustaining procedures in the event that your death from a terminal condition is imminent despite the application of lifesustaining procedures or you are in a persistent vegetative state (permanent unconsciousness). The advance directive provides you with many more options, including the naming of a health care agent. With the advance directive, you can also make decision about lifesustaining procedures in the event of terminal condition, persistent vegetative state AND endstage condition. If you decide to make decisions about lifesustaining procedures in Part B of the advance directive, you should NOT fill out the living will too.

Other Maryland Estate Planning FAQs

Q: What Are Advance Directives?
A: A Maryland Law called the Health Care Decisions Act says you have the right to make health care decisions in advance, through instructions called "advance directives." … More
Q: What Is A Health Care Agent?
A: A person you designate to make health care decisions for you, should you become incapacitated.
Q: Who Can I Choose To Be My Health Care Agent?
A: You can choose a family member or anyone else you trust to make health care decisions for your. Remember, your agent will have the power to make important decisions, … More
Q: Do I Have To Choose A Health Care Agent?
A: No. Whether or not you name a health care agent, you have the right to use the advance directive to state decisions about treatment issues that might come up. … More
Q: What Is An End-Stage Condition?
A: It's an advanced, progressive and incurable condition resulting in complete physical dependency, like advanced Alzheimer's disease.
Q: Do I Have To Use Any Particular Form?
A: The Health Care Decisions Act sets out two optional forms, which can be downloaded from this site. The shorter one is titled "Living Will." The longer one is titled … More
Q: Do I Need Witnesses?
A: Yes. You need two witnesses to your signature on these or other forms.
Q: Who Can Be A Witness?
A: Any competent individual, including a doctor or employee of a health care facility. If you name a health care agent, that person may not be a witness. One of the … More
Q: How Long Does An Advance Directive Remain In Effect?
A: Once you make an advance directive, it remains in effect unless you revoke it. It does not expire.
Q: Can I Change My Mind?
A: Yes. You should review what you've written periodically, so that your advance directive always reflects your current thinking. You are free to change or revoke an … More