The document that protects your medical wishes — and your family — when you can’t speak for yourself.
Most Missourians understand the importance of a will or a trust. But far fewer understand the importance of an Advance Directive or Living Will — a document used while you’re still alive to guide your medical care when you cannot express your wishes.
And for many families, this can be the single most important document in an emergency.
This guide explains:
- What a Missouri Living Will is
- What an Advance Directive includes
- How it works with medical power of attorney
- What happens if you don’t have one
- The decisions you can make in advance
- How it protects your family during crisis
- Why every Missouri adult needs one
Let’s begin with the basics.
What Is a Living Will in Missouri?
A Living Will (also called an Advance Directive) is a legally binding document where you state your wishes regarding:
- life support
- artificial nutrition
- hydration
- CPR
- resuscitation
- end-of-life care
These instructions guide your healthcare providers if you are unable to speak for yourself due to:
- coma
- stroke
- dementia
- accident
- terminal illness
- surgery complications
A Living Will ensures your medical care matches your beliefs, values, and preferences.
Living Will vs Advance Directive — What’s the Difference?
In Missouri, these terms are often used together but they are not identical:
Living Will:
Covers end-of-life decisions (life support, artificial nutrition, etc.).
Advance Directive:
Covers broader medical preferences, including pain management and comfort care.
In practice, most modern estate plans combine both into a single document.
Why Every Adult in Missouri Needs a Living Will
A Living Will is NOT just for:
- seniors
- the elderly
- terminally ill individuals
It is essential for every adult, including:
- college students
- young parents
- married couples
- single adults
- adults with aging parents
- business owners
- people with medical conditions
Medical events can happen suddenly.
A Living Will ensures you — not a doctor or a judge — control your care.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Living Will?
If you have no advance directive, Missouri law requires doctors to:
- provide life-sustaining treatment
- continue hydration and nutrition
- use resuscitation unless prohibited
- prolong life by all available means
Your family may then be forced to make impossible decisions such as:
- “Should we withdraw life support?”
- “Would they want CPR?”
- “Would they want feeding tubes?”
- “Should we allow a natural death?”
This creates:
- guilt
- stress
- conflict
- trauma
- family division
A Living Will removes the burden from your loved ones.
How Your Living Will Works With Your Medical Power of Attorney
These documents work together:
✔ A Medical Power of Attorney
appoints someone to make decisions on your behalf.
✔ A Living Will
tells that person what decisions to make.
Both are essential.
A Living Will without a Medical POA leaves doctors uncertain whom to follow.
A Medical POA without a Living Will leaves your agent without guidance.
Together, they provide clarity.
What You Can Decide in Advance (Missouri Options)
Your Missouri Living Will can address:
1. Life-Sustaining Treatments
You may choose to refuse or allow:
- ventilators
- CPR
- defibrillation
- dialysis
- blood transfusions
2. Artificial Nutrition & Hydration
You may choose:
- no feeding tubes
- feeding tubes only temporarily
- feeding tubes only when recovery is possible
- hydration only for comfort
3. Pain Management & Comfort Care
You may express preferences about:
- pain medication
- sedation
- comfort-focused treatment
- hospice care
4. Conditions Under Which You Refuse Life Support
Most Missourians specify treatment only if:
- death is imminent
- there is no reasonable chance of recovery
- irreversible unconsciousness exists
- cancer or terminal illness is advanced
A Living Will clarifies these conditions.
5. Organ Donation Preferences
You can authorize:
- specific organs
- full donation
- medical research donation
6. Religious or Ethical Preferences
Many Missourians prefer to include:
- faith-based guidelines
- end-of-life rituals
- pastoral visitation
- specific prohibitions
How to Choose the Right Person for Healthcare Decisions
Your Medical Power of Attorney (your “Health Care Agent”) must be:
✔ someone you trust
✔ someone who understands your wishes
✔ someone calm in crisis
✔ someone who can communicate clearly
✔ someone comfortable speaking with doctors
Most Missourians choose:
- spouse
- adult child
- close friend
- trusted sibling
You should also name one or two backup agents.
Common Mistakes Missourians Make
Avoid these pitfalls:
❌ Not having a Living Will
The most dangerous mistake.
❌ Assuming your spouse has automatic authority
They do not — not without a POA.
❌ Using generic online forms
Missouri-specific requirements matter.
❌ Not updating documents after marriage or divorce
Outdated agents cause legal issues.
❌ Not discussing preferences with family
This can lead to confusion and conflict.
❌ Storing the document where no one can find it
Hospitals need fast access.
❌ Not coordinating with your trust
All documents should align.
Why Hospitals Prefer Clear, Detailed Advance Directives
From a medical perspective, doctors want to follow your wishes — but cannot guess them.
A clear Missouri Living Will:
- removes uncertainty
- avoids disagreements among family
- prevents unnecessary procedures
- provides legal protection
- lets doctors provide the care you would want
It also reduces emotional trauma for your loved ones.
How to Make Your Living Will Accessible
Missouri families should:
- give copies to their healthcare agent
- store a copy with their trust documents
- upload the document to their patient portal (if allowed)
- provide a copy to primary care doctors
- carry a medical directive wallet card
Accessibility matters in emergencies.
How Often Should You Update Your Living Will?
Review and update your documents:
- after marriage
- after divorce
- after having children
- after major medical changes
- every 3–5 years (for freshness)
- when updating your trust
A Living Will should reflect your evolving values and beliefs.
Final Thoughts — A Living Will Protects Your Wishes AND Your Family
A Missouri Living Will:
✔ ensures your medical wishes are honored
✔ protects your dignity
✔ prevents family conflict
✔ reduces emotional burden
✔ gives your agent clear guidance
✔ works with your Medical Power of Attorney
✔ is essential for every adult
This is one of the simplest, most powerful documents you can have.
Need a Missouri Living Will or Full Incapacity Plan?
We help Missouri families:
- create living wills
- prepare medical and financial POAs
- build fully coordinated trust plans
- protect minor children
- avoid probate
- complete everything virtually