When you're healthy and life is running smoothly, it can be hard to imagine a time when you might not be able to speak for yourself. Still, the most thoughtful thing you can do for your loved ones—and for yourself—is to prepare for that possibility. A living will and an advance directive give your family clear instructions about your medical preferences, so they aren’t left guessing during a crisis. They help avoid confusion, emotional stress, and disagreements when time is short and emotions are high.

 

At Colorado Estate Planner, we help individuals and families across Colorado put this legal protection in place, so their wishes are honored no matter what the future may bring. Whether you’re just starting your estate plan or updating existing documents, a properly written living will is a critical part of that puzzle. We offer clear legal guidance, based on Colorado law, and take the time to translate your values into decisions that doctors and caregivers can follow without hesitation. If you're ready to take that next step, we're here when you're ready to talk. 

 

What Is a Living Will and an Advance Directive?

 

A living will, sometimes referred to in Colorado as the Declaration as to Medical or Surgical Treatment, is a legal document that makes your medical wishes known in the event you become unable to speak or make decisions for yourself. It comes into effect only under specific conditions—typically when a person is terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state—and gives healthcare providers instructions on whether to continue life-sustaining treatments like feeding tubes or ventilators.

 

An advance directive is a broader term. It includes a living will but can also cover other instructions, such as appointing a healthcare agent through a medical power of attorney. That person can make decisions on your behalf when you’re unable to do so, giving you more flexible and comprehensive protection.

 

These documents aren’t just paperwork. They’re a reflection of your values, beliefs, and personal boundaries. For example, let’s say someone suffers a serious head injury and is unconscious with no reasonable chance of recovery. If that person has a living will stating they do not want to remain on life support under those circumstances, medical teams will follow those wishes. Without that document, the decision falls to family, who may disagree—and that creates stress nobody wants during an already painful time.

 

Why Every Estate Plan Should Include a Living Will

 

Living wills often get forgotten in conversations about wills and trusts, but they deserve a seat at the table. They give doctors clear instructions and protect your loved ones from making heartbreaking choices without guidance. Every adult in Colorado should consider including one as part of their full estate planning strategy.

 

Here’s what a well-drafted living will can help you do:

 

- Say where you draw the line on life support when there's no chance of recovery

- Say whether you want artificial nutrition or hydration in situations where you can’t eat or drink

- Explain the kind of treatments you do or don’t want (like resuscitation or blood transfusions)

- Ease the burden on your family by making your preferences known in advance

 

Without a living will, medical staff will continue with all available treatments until a clear decision can be made. That may include measures you would not have chosen for yourself. Not having that clarity in writing can delay needed decisions, increase family conflict, and lead to care that’s more invasive than you would have wanted.

 

Drafting a living will isn’t about expecting worst-case scenarios. It’s about removing uncertainty. Once it’s in place, you’ll likely feel a strong sense of calm knowing your wishes will be respected. At Colorado Estate Planner, we help you make these decisions in a clear, thoughtful way that aligns with your personal and medical values.

 

Understanding Advance Directives Under Colorado Law

 

In Colorado, the legal scope of an advance directive extends beyond the living will to include other crucial healthcare planning tools. One of the most important is the Durable Medical Power of Attorney, which lets you choose someone you trust to make healthcare decisions if you're unable to. This is especially helpful in situations where your living will doesn’t cover a specific medical condition or treatment, or when decisions need to be made quickly that require human judgment.

 

Colorado recognizes the Declaration as to Medical or Surgical Treatment—commonly known as the living will—as the formal document expressing a person’s end-of-life preferences. When properly signed and witnessed, this document becomes legally binding. It gives hospitals and doctors clear legal direction on what actions to take or avoid in specific medical scenarios. These documents don’t require notarization in Colorado, but they do need to follow specific formatting guidelines to be valid. That’s why having guidance from a knowledgeable attorney who understands state law can make a real difference.

 

People sometimes assume that these documents are only for the elderly or those facing a health crisis. That’s not true. Advance healthcare planning is for anyone over 18 with opinions about their care. It’s for anyone who wants to spare their loved ones from making life-or-death decisions without knowing what’s right. Life can change fast, and an advance directive means that if it does, your voice will still be heard.

 

How Colorado Estate Planner Supports Your Planning Process

 

Putting together documents like a living will or an advance directive can feel overwhelming at first. You’re thinking through medical scenarios most people would rather not imagine. But this planning doesn’t have to be heavy or confusing. At Colorado Estate Planner, we approach it as a chance to create comfort, clarity, and peace of mind for you and your family.

 

Our process starts with a conversation. You talk, we listen, and together we shape your medical decisions into language that’s legally protective and easy for healthcare teams to understand. Whether you prefer in-person meetings in our Denver office or virtual appointments from the comfort of home, we’re here for you across Colorado.

 

We walk you through:

 

- Clarifying your values and treatment preferences

- Drafting the specific documents you’ll need under Colorado law

- Making sure your living will and medical power of attorney work together

- Updating any existing documents so they reflect current wishes

- Helping you store and share your documents the right way

 

Keeping your advance directive up to date is just as important as writing it in the first place. If you moved to Colorado from another state or your priorities have changed in recent years, it may be time for a review. We’re available to help whether this is your first draft or your third revision.

 

Take Control of How You Are Cared For

 

There’s real comfort in knowing your healthcare preferences are documented, legally recognized, and easy to find if they’re ever needed. It takes the burden off your family during a heartbreaking moment and gives your care team clear guidance they can act on confidently. That kind of preparation matters, no matter your age or health status.

 

Living wills and advance directives aren’t just forms—they’re a way to protect your dignity and preserve your voice when it matters most. At Colorado Estate Planner, we’re committed to making this process feel simple, grounded, and personal. We’ll help you create a legal plan that reflects who you are and what matters to you.

If you're ready to protect your wishes and ease the burden on your loved ones during difficult times, Colorado Estate Planner can help you take that step with clarity and confidence. Learn how a well-crafted living will and advance directive can guide your care when you need it most.