Step 2: create a living will

The second advance directive, commonly called a Living Will, espresses a person's wishes for life support treatments when unable to communicate (e.g. coma, 'vegetative state'). The Living Will can specify whether or not to provide:

• Cardiopulmonary treatments
• Artificial respiration
• Artificial means of feeding and hydration
• Hospice treatment
• Bedside clergy
• Organ donation
• Artificial life support (length of time)
• An autopsy (unless required by law)

A Living Will is for medical purposes only and is not the same as a Will.

Living Wills are state specific. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization website provides samples for each state:

http://caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289

Seek the advice of an estate attorney to complete and activate the state specific Living Will.

The completed document should be securely stored and copies distributed to others, such as the executor. An estate attorney can provide guidance.

A digital lockbox (http://www.myestatemanager.com/#dlb ) can securely store the Living Will and other estate documents.