Living Wills in Ohio

An advance health care directive, also known as living will, is a set of written instructions, which state an individual’s requests as to life saving measures. This document does not function like a normal will. This document does not dispose of property, but in fact is a set of instructions that specify what actions should be taken to save or prolong an individual's life if they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity.

In addition, the living will appoints someone, usually called an agent, to make such decisions on their behalf and to see that principal's wishes are fulfilled. 

A living will usually provides specific directives about the course of treatment that is to be followed by health care providers and caregivers. In some cases, a living will may forbid the use of various kinds of burdensome medical treatment.

These often direct health care professionals in whether they are to use all life saving techniques or not.

The directives can also state under which circumstances to use life saving techniques and under which circumstances not to. It may also be used to express wishes about the use or foregoing of food and water, if supplied via tubes or other medical devices.

The living will is used only if the individual has become unable to give informed consent as to treatment due to incapacity. A living will can be very specific or very general. In essence, it is a very personal document. It expresses your wishes. Every individual should will think about the types of directives they wish to have in their living will. It is an incredibly important and personal decision and the McClain Law Office is prepared to advise you throughout the entire process. If you are interesting in preparing a living will, or any other estate planning document, please use the contact form on this page, call at: 330-623-7529, or e-mail at mcclain@legal-rep.com.