What happens if you become incapacitated for medical reasons and cannot make your wishes known? You CAN make your wishes about medical treatment, procedures, and decisions in advance with a living will.

A few years ago, a living will was relatively brief and to the point, and the main document, other than the living will itself, was the DNR, Do Not Resuscitate, order. However, in this modern era with so many technological advance, so many legal events and obligations, and the growth of medical ethics questions, the modern living will, such as offered by Standard Legal, covers a broad range of issues, possibilities, and, therefore, documents.

The living will is often confused with a living trust. The differences are basic and few, but it's important to understand the differences between the living will and the living trust.

The purpose of a living trust is to guarantee the protection of assets, and the use of them per your wishes. You appoint a trustee who can make fiscal and other decisions in your absence or incapacitation.

A living will, on the other hand, speaks more to healthcare issues in the event of incapacitation due to illness or accident, and involves end-of-life decisions.

Almost everyone can benefit from having a living will. In contrast, the living trust, often instead of a last will and testament, is an estate planning document, or series of documents, and may not be appropriate or effective for everyone.