A living will, sometimes called an Advanced Directive, is a legal document accepted in all 50 states. They clearly define a person's desire to refuse life support or medical treatment under certain circumstances, usually when death is imminent. Generally, a living will takes effect when a person becomes terminally ill, permanently unconscious, or conscious with irreversible brain damage. A living will also allows a person to specifically declare desired and unwanted forms of treatment. For example, if someone does not want artificial life support, then they sign the living will stating that desire. It is also important to discuss your beliefs and desires with your family, your spouse, and other people whose opinions you respect, such as clergy, doctors, a lawyer, or an accountant. Living wills are recognized in every state, but each state has different requirements. If someone is interested in writing a living will, contact an expert in the state where you live, such as a hospital, local agency on the aging, or local bar association. To help ensure the living person is honored, give copies to family members, doctors, lawyers and others involved in caring for the person's well-being. Federal law now requires that most healthcare facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, HMOs, and home health agencies) ask patients whether they have a living will or would like to complete one. Can medical care be legally terminated if there is NO living will? In the absence of a written document, a spouse or close family member can still request that treatment be stopped if the patient cannot do so, but the request may be denied. How states and health care providers handle these cases varies widely. Typically, a doctor or hospital representative meets with a person's family to discuss what that person's wishes were. In some cases a healthcare facility may want to refuse or provide life support against the family's wishes. In some cases, a formal hearing may be held to determine how to proceed. How to draft a living will The rules for preparing a living will vary from state to state. Some states require the document to be signed with the same formalities required to execute a will, but many states recognize the effectiveness of more informal declarations. In general, a living will: it should be written. It should be signed and dated. It should be signed voluntarily. It should state......in the middle of the card......contain types of treatment in various healthcare situations. Some of the options are explained below: DNR – The “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) order simply states that if a doctor believes you are terminally ill, you do not want to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops beating or stop breathing. You believe that CPR will be useless or will only prolong your life. Surgery – If you become terminally ill, you may not want to have surgery, especially if the surgery is elective or life-prolonging in the event of imminent death. For example, a terminal cancer patient may not want to undergo a minor surgery, such as a tonsillectomy if they have tonsillitis. If you are writing your will, you may want to express your wishes regarding a specific surgical case, you have the opportunity to state what you wish. Painkillers. Your living will should indicate the types of medications you want administered and under what circumstances. Respirators: i.