We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Law

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Difference Between a will and a Living will?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,797
Share

Sometimes people confuse a will with a living will; this may be due to the similarities of the names as well as the fact that the two documents have a similar purpose. Both of these documents spell out what the person who creates them wishes and are used to ensure his wishes are honored when he can no longer speak for himself. A will and a living will are more different than they are alike, however. A will is used to specify how a person’s assets should be divided after his death as well as whom will have the responsibility of taking care of his dependents. A living will, on the other hand, is used to specify the treatments a person wants doctors to provide to prolong his life in the event he can no longer speak for himself.

The main difference between a will and a living will is the time period it is intended to govern. A will is intended to provide instructions for the division of a person’s assets and the care of his dependents once the will creator has died. It is not subject to anyone else’s decision-making process. A living will, on the other hand, is made to govern a time period in which a person is incapacitated because of a health condition or injury. It allows him to specify what treatments, if any, he wants doctors to use to prolong his life and only becomes effective once a person’s doctor determines that he has no chance of recovering and is terminal.

One easy way to remember the difference between a will and a living will is to keep in mind the types of things these documents decide. For example, a will may indicate who will receive a person’s prized collection of artwork after his death. It may also indicate who will become guardian of a person’s children. Sometimes it may even list a person to care for the deceased person’s pet and provide information regarding its monetary support. A living will, however, does not cover property or dependents at all; it focuses entirely on whether or not its creator wants doctors to use methods and medical equipment to keep him alive once it has been determined that he will not recover.

Despite the fact that a will and a living will are different, they do have some similarities. They are both legal documents that spell out a person’s wishes. To ensure that a will and living will are adhered to when the time comes, a person may consult a lawyer to get advice on drafting it in keeping with his jurisdiction’s laws.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-difference-between-a-will-and-a-living-will.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.