Most people think estate planning is for the elderly, the ultra-wealthy, or people with complicated family situations, and that is one of the biggest misconceptions ever.
A living will is not about preparing for death; it is about protecting your voice while you are still alive.
A living will is a legal document that sets out your wishes regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated and are unable to communicate. It speaks for you when you cannot speak for yourself. In many jurisdictions, it is recognised as an advance directive. In the United States, living wills are commonly executed alongside a healthcare proxy under state law, operating within the broader framework of federal legislation such as the Patient Self-Determination Act, which affirms a patient’s right to make decisions about their medical care.
But let us bring this home.
Imagine you are in an accident, you are unconscious, and doctors need to make urgent decisions about life-sustaining treatment. Should they place you on a ventilator, should they perform aggressive procedures with slim chances of recovery, should they continue artificial nutrition and hydration indefinitely?
If you have not documented your wishes, those decisions fall to family members who are already emotionally overwhelmed, and I have seen how this creates tension, confusion, and sometimes lasting conflict. A living will removes that burden, it provides clarity, and it preserves dignity.
Every adult should have one, and I mean every adult.
You do not need to be married, you do not need to have children, you do not need to be wealthy. The moment you turn eighteen, you are legally responsible for your own medical decisions, yet many adults have never put their preferences in writing.
A living will typically addresses issues such as life support, resuscitation, organ donation, pain management, and end-of-life care preferences. It can be as detailed or as simple as you choose, but it must be clear, as clarity is everything in law.
A Notary Public’s role is to ensure that documents such as living wills are properly executed. Notarization does not replace legal advice, but it strengthens the authenticity of the document, confirming identity, willingness, and proper signing, and in moments of crisis, procedural validity matters.
This is not a morbid conversation; it is a responsible one.
We insure our cars, we draft business contracts, we save passwords in secure vaults, yet we hesitate to plan for medical emergencies that could happen at any time. A living will is simply another form of protection; it is an act of foresight.
Drafting a living will is not about expecting the worst; it is about taking control, it is about ensuring that your values guide your care, even if you are silent.
If you are an adult reading this and you have not prepared one, let this be your sign: have the conversation, speak to a legal professional, put your wishes in writing, and when you are ready to execute it formally, ensure it is properly signed and notarised.
Your voice matters; a living will ensures it is heard, no matter what.
