Most of us don't like the thought of dying.  We don't want to think about settling our affairs in case of what might be for fear that it beckons "what might be" into being!  As if we are inviting fate to come a step closer.  But the fact of the matter is that unless we set out what we want done in the event of something bad happening, if we are unable to speak for ourselves, then we will be left to the mercy of those who will make the decisions for us - and often these will be made on the basis of what is best for them rather than us.  Is that what you want to happen?  If you answer that you don't really mind what happens because you'll probably be past caring, then that's fine.  If, on the other hand, you do care and you do want to maintain control of some part of your life, then you need to think about making a living will now - because you never know when something will happen that will make this decision irrelevant!

Think about a scenario where you are in an accident and end up on a life support machine with no hope of recovery.  For the rest of your life you will be hooked up to machines that will do everything for you.  Your quality of life and dignity will be gone.  Is this what you would want?  Would you want to stay like that until one day someone made the decision to turn off the life support?  Or would you want to make that decision yourself?  That's what a living will is for.  You will set out the conditions under which you want to live, and those under which you want the machines turned off.

You can make a living will through an attorney, or you can download forms to do it yourself from the Internet.  If you do it yourself, you must get these certified in order to make them legally binding should a dispute over what to do is brought before the courts at a later date.  Once you have drawn up the paperwork, have it certified, signed and a copy filed somewhere safe - it's then time to discuss with your friends and family what you want done.  Give them copies of your living will statement so that they are in no doubt of your wishes and will carry them out.  Be sure to tell them that although you will not be able to enforce the living will yourself, they are to be clear that it is your wish that whoever has the final say complies with what you want.

In the case of an unforeseen accident or illness, a living will not only ensures that you are allowed to go when you want and not when someone else thinks it's time, but it also takes the burden of "doing the right thing" off your loved ones.