A living will—also known as an Advance Health Care Directive—is a document in which the declarant or principal (person making the living will) specifies what kind of medical treatment the declarant does and does not want if the declarant has a medical emergency and is unable to communicate those wishes. A living will may direct health care providers to administer, withhold, or withdraw life-sustaining treatments if the declarant is in a terminal or irreversible condition.

Laws and terminology for documents related to living wills, Advance Health Care Directives, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNRs), and other health care documents vary from state to state. These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the probate code or estates code.

In Connecticut, a living will or Advance Health Care Directive is a legal document that allows an individual to state their wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they are unable to communicate due to a medical emergency. This document can include instructions on administering, withholding, or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments if the individual is in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. Connecticut law recognizes these directives under the Connecticut General Statutes, specifically in Chapter 368w - Rights of the Terminally Ill Act. The living will becomes effective when it is provided to the attending physician and the individual is determined to be incapacitated. Additionally, Connecticut allows for the appointment of a health care representative to make decisions on behalf of the individual if they are unable to do so. It is important to note that the laws governing Advance Health Care Directives may be updated, and it is advisable to consult with an attorney to ensure that the living will complies with current Connecticut law and accurately reflects the individual's wishes.