Most people who don’t have a living will aren’t careless or irresponsible. They’re convinced that it doesn’t apply to them. This article is for exactly those people (looking at you here!).
Who needs a living will?
The short answer is: more people than usually assume.
A living will is often associated with old age or serious illness. As a result, many people rule it out early…not because they oppose it, but because they believe it belongs to a different stage of life. That assumption is understandable, but it’s also incomplete.
The relevance of a living will is not determined by age or health. It is determined by decision-making capacity, and that can be lost temporarily or permanently, suddenly or gradually, at almost any point in life.
The most common misjudgment: “I’ll decide when the time comes”
Many people believe that as long as they are healthy, they will be able to make medical decisions when they are needed. In most situations, that is true. But a living will exists specifically for situations where that assumption no longer holds.
Serious accidents, strokes, infections, or complications during treatment can lead to sudden loss of consciousness or cognitive ability. In those moments, decisions often cannot wait until clarity returns – and doctors must act based on available guidance.
And if you’re worried, we want to make sure one thing is clear: Your decisions will always be honored, as long as you are able to communicate them!
Why age is a poor indicator of relevance
Younger adults often assume that living wills are primarily for older people. In practice, younger adults are more likely to experience unexpected medical situations, while older adults more often face anticipated ones.
This difference matters. Anticipated situations allow time for conversations. Unexpected ones usually do not.
For people who live independently, are not married, or have complex family structures, this can be especially relevant. In the absence of written guidance, responsibility may fall to people who are emotionally close but unsure of your preferences or to people who know you legally, but not personally.
When families “know you” but still don’t know what to decide
We often get told that the reason for postponing a living will is trust in family or partners. Many people believe that those closest to them will intuitively know what to do.
In reality, medical decisions under pressure are rarely intuitive. Even with a medical background, most people simply feel overwhelmed when someone close to them is facing treatment limits, life-sustaining measures, or long-term outcomes.
Disagreement in these situations is not a sign of dysfunction. It is a sign that values were never made explicit.
A living will does not remove emotional difficulty from such moments, but it does remove ambiguity about intent.
A concrete example
Consider a woman in her early 50s with no serious health issues. After a sudden medical emergency, she is unconscious and unable to communicate. Doctors stabilize her, but further treatment depends on how aggressively care should continue if neurological recovery is uncertain.
Her partner believes she would want all available options pursued. Her parents recall conversations where she expressed concern about prolonged intensive care. No one is acting in bad faith, but the lack of written guidance turns a medical question into a personal conflict.
This is a typical scenario that happens every day across hospitals around the world and it illustrates why living wills are most relevant before people feel they are needed.
How Meolea fits into this
Meolea is designed for people who want to make their decisions heard without the complex jargon. Instead of starting with legal language, we start with values and practical questions. The process is structured, but not rigid. Documents can be updated, stored securely, and shared with trusted contacts.
Our goal is not to push people into decisions, but to make it easier to articulate them and to ensure they are available when needed.
So who really needs a living will?
If you’ve ever thought “this probably doesn’t apply to me yet”, you’re exactly who this is for. Best part: It only takes a few minutes with our Meolea Living Will Generator and you can have peace of mind forever! Cool, huh?
❤️ If you’d like to start at your own pace, explore your living will with Meolea today and take the first step!
Frequently asked questions about who needs a living will
Do healthy people really need a living will?
Yes. Living wills are most often needed after sudden, unexpected events — not long illnesses.
Isn’t this something I can do later?
You can, but many people never feel the “right time.” Starting early keeps the decision in your hands.
What if I don’t know what I’d want yet?
That’s normal. A living will can evolve as your views become clearer.
Can I change my living will?
Yes. You can update or revoke it at any time, as long as you’re mentally capable.
Is this only relevant for older adults?
No. Age doesn’t determine when medical decisions might become necessary.
Meolea makes End-of-Life Planning and Legacy Management super simple! In 5 minutes you can start making preparations and invite your family members.