Many people have heard of a last will and testament, but fewer know about a living will—and it’s just as important. While a last will deals with your property after you pass away, a living will explains your medical care preferences while you’re still alive but unable to speak for yourself.
At Vick Law in Greenwood, Indiana, we often meet with families who don’t realize how critical this document can be until they’re already in a difficult medical situation. Having a living will in place spares your loved ones from making agonizing choices without knowing what you would have wanted.
What Does a Living Will Cover?
A living will is a simple document, but it answers some very tough questions:
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Do you want doctors to use life-sustaining treatments like ventilators or feeding tubes?
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Should CPR be performed if your heart stops?
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How important is comfort care and pain management to you, even if it shortens life?
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Do you want to be an organ donor?
These are deeply personal choices. Writing them down removes the burden from your family and gives your medical team clear direction.
Why Is a Living Will Important?
Without a living will, doctors will turn to your family for guidance. This can create:
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Stress and guilt. Your spouse or children may wonder if they’re making the “right” call.
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Disagreements. Family members may have different opinions, leading to arguments in an already stressful moment.
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Delays in care. Sometimes, without agreement, decisions get held up—and in medical emergencies, time matters.
A living will makes sure that your voice is heard even if you can’t speak.
Living Will vs. Healthcare Proxy
Many people choose to pair a living will with a healthcare proxy (also called a durable power of attorney for healthcare).
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The living will spells out your specific instructions.
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The healthcare proxy gives someone you trust the authority to make decisions in real-time, especially in situations you didn’t anticipate.
Together, they form a powerful safeguard that protects you and relieves your family from uncertainty.
When Should You Update a Living Will?
Life changes—your living will should too. Review it if you:
And don’t forget to share copies with your healthcare proxy, your primary care doctor, and close family. Keep the original in a safe but accessible place—not in a safe deposit box, where it may be hard to get to quickly.
How Vick Law Can Help
At Vick Law, 3209 W. Smith Valley Rd., Suite 113, Greenwood, IN 46142, we help families across South Indianapolis create living wills that reflect their values and meet Indiana’s legal requirements.
When you work with us, we’ll:
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Walk you through the questions a living will should answer.
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Draft a document that doctors and hospitals will honor.
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Coordinate your living will with your broader estate plan.
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Make sure your loved ones know where to find it.
Creating a living will doesn’t have to be complicated—but it does give you and your family peace of mind.
Call us at 317-884-3133 or book a call online to schedule a consultation and put your healthcare wishes in writing.
Key Takeaways
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A living will explains your medical care wishes if you can’t speak for yourself.
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It can prevent family conflict and reduce guilt during difficult moments.
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Pair it with a healthcare proxy for full protection.
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Review and update it as your life circumstances change.
Reference: Mayo Clinic (March 25, 2025), “Living wills and advance directives for medical decisions”
References: Mayo Clinic (March 25, 2025) “Living wills and advance directives for medical decisions”
