Power of Attorney vs Living Will
Compare powers of attorney and living wills — two essential incapacity documents.
Overview
A power of attorney designates someone to make financial and/or medical decisions on your behalf if you can't. A living will specifies your end-of-life medical treatment preferences directly. They're complementary, not alternatives — every adult should have both.
Choose Power of Attorney when...
Establish a power of attorney to designate someone you trust to make financial or medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
Choose Living Will when...
Create a living will to state your specific end-of-life treatment preferences (life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes) so your family doesn't have to guess.
Our Verdict
Every adult should have both — they cost very little and the absence of either creates major problems for family during medical crises. POA covers the broader category of who can act for you across financial and medical matters; living will speaks for you directly when you can't. Many states combine them into a single advance directive document.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Power of Attorney and Living Will?
A power of attorney designates someone to make financial and/or medical decisions on your behalf if you can't. A living will specifies your end-of-life medical treatment preferences directly. They're complementary, not alternatives — every adult should have both.
When should I choose Power of Attorney over Living Will?
Establish a power of attorney to designate someone you trust to make financial or medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
When should I choose Living Will over Power of Attorney?
Create a living will to state your specific end-of-life treatment preferences (life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes) so your family doesn't have to guess.
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