Living will for Pennsylvania
A living will writes down what treatment you would and would not want if you were dying or permanently unconscious and could not say so yourself.
$9, or $5 for a second household member ($14 for both). Includes 6 months of changes.
What you pay counts in full toward a package.
Who this is for
- You have watched a family go through this without knowing what the person wanted, and you do not want to leave that behind.
- You have clear views about life-sustaining treatment and want them on the record.
- You are naming a healthcare agent and want to give them something to follow.
- You have a diagnosis that makes the question real rather than theoretical.
What it does not do
- It applies only in the narrow situations it describes, generally an end-stage medical condition or permanent unconsciousness. It does not govern ordinary treatment decisions.
- It does not name anyone to decide for you. That is the healthcare power of attorney, and most people sign both.
- It is not a do-not-resuscitate order. A DNR is a medical order signed by a physician; ask your doctor about one separately.
How to sign it in your state
Pennsylvania
Living Will / Advance Instruction
The principal signs before two qualified witnesses; notarization is not a substitute for the witness ceremony.
- Witnesses: 2, and they must be present at the signing.
- Notary: no. Notarization is not used for this signing route.
Who cannot witness: The healthcare agent may not witness. Use witnesses who are not signing on the principal's behalf.
20 Pa.C.S. § 5452
New York
Living Will / Advance Instruction
The principal signs before two adult witnesses. Do not notarize this healthcare-proxy execution.
- Witnesses: 2, and they must be present at the signing.
- Notary: no. Notarization is not used for this signing route.
Who cannot witness: The appointed healthcare agent may not serve as a witness.
N.Y. Public Health Law § 2981
New Jersey
Living Will / Advance Instruction
Use either two adult witnesses or the document's notary/attorney acknowledgment route.
- Witnesses: 2, or use the acknowledgment route printed on the document instead.
- Notary: an alternative to the witnesses, not an addition to them.
Who cannot witness: Do not use the designated healthcare representative as a witness.
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-56
Get started
Most of a living will is not about medicine. It is about sparing the people who love you from guessing, in a corridor, at three in the morning, about what you would have wanted.
The document only speaks in the situations it names, and those situations are narrow by design: an end-stage medical condition, or permanent unconsciousness. Everyday treatment decisions stay with you while you can make them, and with your healthcare agent when you cannot.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey both use a written advance directive signed before two adult witnesses. New York's statutory instrument is the health care proxy; a written statement of wishes still matters there, and Airlooms presents it alongside the proxy rather than in place of it.
Common questions
What is the difference between a living will and a healthcare power of attorney?
A living will says what you want. A healthcare power of attorney says who decides. They work best together, which is why the Decisions package includes both.
Does New York have a living will statute?
New York's statutory document is the health care proxy. A written statement of your wishes is still given effect as evidence of what you wanted, and Airlooms pairs it with the proxy rather than offering it as a substitute.
Does it need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania uses two adult witnesses. Notarization is not required, though some people add it because other states expect it.
Can I change my mind?
Yes, at any time while you have capacity. Sign a new one, tell your agent and your doctor, and destroy old copies.
Who should have a copy?
Your healthcare agent, your doctor, and the hospital you would most likely be admitted to. A living will nobody can find does nothing.
Included in
- Decisions, $29 for 5 documents, 22% less than buying the pieces. See what is in it
- Will & Essentials, $69 for 18 documents, 55% less than buying the pieces. See what is in it
- Trust & Property, $129 for 28 documents, 57% less than buying the pieces. See what is in it