Living Will Lawyer Philadelphia

A living will allows you to express your healthcare preferences in the event you’re unable to communicate them yourself. At Brandywine Estate & Probate Lawyer in Philadelphia, our experienced living will lawyer can help you document your medical wishes clearly and legally, giving you and your family peace of mind. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 484-285-5707.

What Is a Living Will and Why Is It Important?

Most people avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios. It’s not easy to picture being too sick or injured to speak for yourself. But these are the exact moments when planning ahead matters most. A living will gives you a way to make your medical wishes known in advance—before a crisis ever happens.

This document isn’t just for the elderly or those with health concerns. Anyone can face a sudden emergency. A living will gives you a voice when you can’t speak and offers guidance to your loved ones during difficult times.

What a Living Will Really Does

A living will is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical care if you are unable to communicate. It becomes active if you are incapacitated due to illness, injury, or advanced age. It does not apply if you are conscious and able to make your own decisions.

This document typically covers scenarios like:

Whether you want to receive life-sustaining treatment, such as a ventilator or feeding tube
If you would prefer to be kept comfortable but not artificially kept alive
When you want doctors to stop treatment if recovery is no longer possible

The decisions you outline in a living will guide your healthcare team and your family. It ensures that care follows your wishes, even when you can’t express them yourself.

Living Will vs. Medical Power of Attorney

A living will is often confused with a medical power of attorney. While they both deal with healthcare decisions, they serve different roles.

A medical power of attorney—sometimes called a healthcare proxy—appoints someone to make medical decisions for you. A living will spells out what those decisions should be in certain situations.

You can (and often should) have both. The living will provides specific instructions. The power of attorney gives someone the authority to carry them out or make choices in situations your living will doesn’t address.

Why You Should Consider a Living Will Now

You don’t need to wait for a health crisis to create a living will. In fact, it’s better to have one in place long before you think you might need it.

Here are a few reasons to consider:

You Stay in Control
Without a living will, decisions may fall to family members or hospital staff who aren’t sure what you would have wanted. A clear document ensures your preferences guide the process.
It Reduces Stress for Your Loved Ones
Medical decisions can be incredibly hard for families during emergencies. A living will removes the guesswork and helps avoid conflict or guilt.
Emergencies Happen Without Warning
No one plans to be in a serious accident or suffer a sudden illness. But if something does happen, having a living will ensures your wishes are already documented.
It Complements Your Broader Estate Plan
Your living will is one piece of your overall estate plan. It works alongside your will, power of attorney, and any trusts you’ve created to provide a full picture of your wishes.

What to Include in Your Living Will

Every living will is personal. Still, there are a few key decisions most people include:

Life-sustaining treatments (such as CPR, ventilators, dialysis)
Artificial nutrition and hydration
Pain management and comfort care
Organ and tissue donation
Specific religious or moral beliefs related to healthcare

Think carefully about your values. Talk with your doctor if you’re unsure about specific treatments. And make sure your document is clear and legally valid in Pennsylvania.

How to Create a Valid Living Will in Pennsylvania

Creating a living will in Pennsylvania is straightforward, but it must meet certain legal standards to be recognized.

Here’s what you need:

You must be at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor
The document must be in writing and signed by you
You need two adult witnesses who are not your healthcare agents or beneficiaries

Once it’s complete, provide copies to your primary care doctor, the person named in your medical power of attorney, and any close family members. You may also want to carry a medical card noting that you have a living will.

Updating Your Living Will

Life changes. So should your documents. Review your living will at least every few years, or after any major life events:

Marriage or divorce
The birth of a child
A new medical diagnosis
Moving to a different state
Death of a named healthcare agent

Outdated documents can lead to confusion. Make sure your instructions and your chosen decision-makers still reflect your current wishes.

What Happens Without One

If you don’t have a living will and become unable to speak for yourself, decisions will be made by your healthcare provider, family, or whoever is legally authorized under Pennsylvania law. This can lead to stress, disagreement, or outcomes that don’t reflect your values.

In some cases, loved ones may need to go to court to get permission to make certain decisions. This adds cost, time, and uncertainty during an already emotional time.

A living will avoids this by giving clear, direct guidance.

Having the Conversation

Talking about end-of-life care is difficult. But it’s a conversation worth having with your loved ones. When you create a living will, share your decisions with the people closest to you. Make sure they understand your reasons and know where your documents are stored.

This step is just as important as creating the document itself. It helps your family feel confident following your wishes and prevents misunderstanding later.

Peace of Mind Starts with a Knowledgeable Living Will Attorney

Making your healthcare preferences known through a living will is a meaningful way to ease future burdens for your family. Brandywine Estate & Probate Lawyer provides the guidance of an experienced living will attorney who can help you create a document that honors your wishes and stands up to legal scrutiny. To get started, call 484-285-5707 and schedule your consultation.