Advance Directive vs Living Will vs Medical Power of Attorney
Last updated: December 2025
Healthcare terms vary by state, but the practical goal is the same: document your wishes and name someone who can speak for you if you can’t. A living will typically focuses on end-of-life preferences, while a medical power of attorneynames a person to make decisions. An advance directive often bundles these concepts together.
Key takeaways
- Instructions matter—but a trusted decision-maker matters too.
- Share documents with your agent and keep them accessible.
- Review after major life events.
Many people write thoughtful instructions but forget the real-world problem: in a crisis, someone still has to communicate with doctors, ask questions, and make decisions when situations don’t match a script.