Living Will Form - New Jersey

What Is a New Jersey Living Will?

A Living Will is a legal document that specifies the type of medical care that an individual does or does not want in the event if they are unable to communicate their wishes. Living Wills come into play only when one faces a life-threatening condition and is unable to assert their specific desires regarding treatment.

In the case when an individual suffering from a terminal illness or with a life-threatening injury falls unconscious, hospitals and doctors must refer to their will to determine whether or not the patient wanted life-sustaining treatment, such as tube feeding or assisted breathing.

An individual can print a will to pre-organize their health care in the future situation, to prevent major arguments between family members, to control any necessary medical treatments and procedures and to reduce potential extra medical bills.

How to Make a Living Will in New Jersey?

A basic Living Will can be completed without a lawyer or an attorney. In order to create a will in New Jersey, an individual must be competent, be wanting to complete all paperwork voluntarily and sign the document.

A legal Living Will can be either very broad or very specific in nature according to the wishes of the patient. It is basically the patient's declaration - a written statement of what they want to occur in the event of a serious accident or illness. It is primarily directed to the medical personnel and focuses on the type of care the patient wishes to have or wishes not to have, under situations of terminal illness or incapacitation.