Why You Need a Living Will: 3 Expert-Backed Reasons to Protect Your Wishes

When Oklahoma high school principal Lynne Chesley was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, she signed a living will, clearly stating she did not want her life prolonged by artificial means.

Yet despite her clear wishes, her sister disregarded the document — and Chesley spent three painful years trapped on a feeding tube, her fate debated in courtrooms rather than honored at her bedside.

What should have been a simple directive turned into a heartbreaking legal battle, eventually reaching the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Chesley passed away just a few months after the court finally upheld her wishes.

Her story is a powerful reminder: even a legally binding living will must be crystal clear and readily accessible to truly protect your voice when you cannot speak for yourself.

While end-of-life disputes rarely escalate to court, attorneys told The Wall Street Journal that the Oklahoma ruling reaffirmed the legal strength of living wills — and the critical importance of preparing them properly.

Shifting the Conversation

No one likes talking about end-of-life decisions. It’s uncomfortable, a little morbid — and easy to put off for “someday.”

But someday can come unexpectedly, which is why experts agree: there’s no better time than today to create a living will.

A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a legal document that outlines your preferred medical treatment if you cannot communicate it yourself.

Whether you’re 25 or 75, having one in place offers peace of mind—for you and your loved ones.

Still not convinced? Here are three compelling reasons, backed by research and expert insight, to create your living will now.

1. Protects Your Right to Decide

A living will gives you the power to make decisions about your health, even if you’re unconscious or incapacitated.

Without it, medical teams may follow standard protocols or defer to family members — some of whom may not share your wishes.

Take Lynne Chesley’s case as an example. Her living will was disregarded by her sister, even when she explicitly requested no artificial life support.

Living with a degenerative disease doesn’t mean that others automatically know what’s best for you.

Many elderly patients today work closely with adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs).

These advanced healthcare practitioners often earn their adult gerontology degrees through accredited online or in-person programs. Advanced nursing practice concentrates on comprehensive health assessments, disease prevention, and addressing the unique needs of aging adults.

AGPCNPs coordinate care transitions and educate patients and caregivers about health promotion.

Wilkes University notes that adult gerontology nurse practitioners play a crucial role in managing primary care for older adults, helping them maintain their functionality and quality of life.

However, even the best healthcare teams can honor your preferences only if your wishes are clearly documented.

A properly written and accessible living will makes it harder for others to override your choices — and easier for healthcare providers to follow your wishes with confidence and respect.

2. We’re Living Longer — But Facing More Health Challenges

While protecting your wishes is critical today, it’s just as important to think about the future — because Americans are living longer than ever before.

The Pew Research Center projects that U.S. centenarians will quadruple over the next 30 years. Living longer, however, often brings greater vulnerability to chronic illnesses, cognitive decline, and unexpected medical emergencies.

A living will guarantees that your values and preferences will be respected even if you cannot communicate.

The Mayo Clinic explains that a clear living will reduces emotional turmoil for families, eliminating uncertainty about life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care decisions.

Imagine your loved ones standing at your hospital bed, unsure of what you would have wanted — and imagine the burden that uncertainty would place on them.

You have the power to spare them that pain.

3. Planning Ahead Is Becoming the Norm

More and more people — and even major institutions — are embracing the reality that careful planning is no longer optional.

The Federal Reserve and FDIC now require major banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs to maintain their own “living wills” — plans for what would happen if they failed.

If the world’s largest financial institutions must prepare for worst-case scenarios, shouldn’t we?

Creating a living will isn’t about surrendering hope. It’s about stepping forward with intention — making decisions that reflect the life you built and the love you leave behind.

How to Get Started

• Choose your healthcare proxy: Pick someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot.
• Decide your preferences: Think through scenarios like coma, terminal illness, and life support.
• Document it: Use your state’s official form or consult a legal service to ensure it’s valid and specific.
• Share it widely: Give copies to your proxy, primary doctor, and trusted family members.

Final Thoughts

We plan for weddings, vacations, and college funds for our children — all to shape the futures we envision. Yet many people avoid planning for their final days.

Creating a living will isn’t about giving up; it’s about taking control over your decisions regarding what you want at the end of life.

It demonstrates love, responsibility, and respect — and can spare your loved ones the pain of uncertainty and confusion when it matters most.