Living Will Attorney in Utah
Would your family know what medical care you want?
A living will and health care power of attorney, known in Utah as part of an Advance Health Care Directive, allows you to put your medical wishes in writing before a crisis occurs. It helps ensure your values, beliefs, and preferences are respected if you become unable to communicate or make decisions for yourself.
At LegacyGuard Legal, our estate planning attorneys work with you to create a living will that is clear, legally valid under Utah law, and easy for doctors and family members to follow—so your loved ones are not left guessing during difficult moments.
What Is a Living Will in Utah?
In Utah, a “living will” is not a stand‑alone document. It is typically part of a Utah Advance Health Care Directive, which serves two key purposes:
Appoints a health care agent (sometimes called a medical power of attorney) to make decisions for you if you cannot.
States your personal instructions about medical treatment, including life‑sustaining care.
This document becomes effective when your physician determines that you lack the ability to make or communicate health care decisions. It can guide care in a wide range of medical situations.
You can give instructions about:
- Life‑sustaining treatment such as ventilation, CPR, dialysis, and tube feeding
- Comfort care and pain management
- Conditions under which treatment should be continued or withdrawn
- Organ donation and other end‑of‑life preferences
Why a Living Will Matters in Your Estate Plan
A traditional will controls what happens to your property after death. A living will protects you while you are still alive.
As part of your broader estate planning documents, a properly drafted living will:
Preserves your right to make personal medical choices
Reduces stress and conflict among family members
Gives doctors clear legal authority to follow your wishes
Works together with your trust, will, and powers of attorney
Our estate planning attorneys ensure your living will complies with Utah estate planning law and aligns with the rest of your plan, so nothing is left unclear or contradictory.
Should You Use a State of Utah Living Will Form?
Utah provides a statutory advance directive form, and many people search for a “living will form Utah” or “state of Utah living will form” online. While these forms can be valid, they are often:
Too general for complex family or medical situations
Confusing for health care providers to interpret
Not coordinated with your other estate planning documents
At LegacyGuard Legal, we customize your directive to reflect your specific wishes, family dynamics, and long‑term planning goals. We review each option with you and use clear, practical language that medical professionals can follow when it matters most.
LegacyGuard Legal Living Will Services
We make living will planning straightforward, personal, and legally sound. Our process focuses on:
Understanding your values, beliefs, and priorities
Explaining your options in plain language
Drafting documents that comply with Utah law
Coordinating your living will with your trust, will, and powers of attorney
Whether you are creating your first estate plan or updating existing documents, our estate planning attorneys ensure your instructions remain current and legally effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A living will is part of a Utah Advance Health Care Directive. It is a legal document that states your medical treatment preferences and allows you to name someone to make health care decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
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No. A last will and testament controls how your property is distributed after death. A “living will” or advance directive addresses medical care and health care decisions while you are still alive but unable to communicate such as when you are in persistent vegetative state.
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If you want control over your future medical care and want to reduce uncertainty for your family, a living will is an important part of a complete estate plan.
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Yes. You can revoke or revise your living will at any time as your preferences, health, or family situation changes.
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Working with a LegacyGuard Legal estate planning attorney helps ensure your document is complete, customized, and coordinated with your other estate planning documents—so it is more likely to be understood and followed when needed.
