A living will, also known an advance directive, is a will that represents a patient’s wish to refuse any medical treatment and/or attention, in the form of being kept alive by artificial means when a patient can no longer express a view.

A living will speaks for you when you cannot speak for yourself. Having a living will in place, spares your loved ones from making life-or-death decisions, the document will also let you have a say in specific medical procedures and organ donation, the financial burden will be lessened. Being on life-support, especially when there is no reasonable chance of recovery, is incredibly expensive - a living will gives you peace of mind. Because life is so unpredictable, you want to make tragic situations as easy as possible for yourself and your family.

After looking and considering the above mentioned reasons for getting a living will, the following conditions are necessary to make a living will:

• You must be at least 18 years old;
• You must be mentally able and not in any mental distress;
• You must be fully informed of the consequences of making such a will;
• You must understand that the will applies to all future situations and circumstances; and
• You must not be influenced or put under pressure to sign the will.

It’s a personal decision that every individual needs to make for themselves, but when you make a living will, you cannot ask a medical practitioner to perform a mercy killing - active euthanasia, which can also be called mercy killing or physician-assisted suicide.

In conclusion if you decide to get a living will, ask a professional (lawyer/legal adviser)  to assist you in drafting your living will, making sure all the formalities are met with regards to the legality of the Will.

Reference List:

https://dignitysouthafrica.org/