Answer: In a Will, the individual provides for the disposition of his property upon death. A Living Will is not the same as a Will nor does it serve the same purpose. A Living Will is a type of advance medical directive. An advance medical directive permits the individual to make medical decisions in advance so that in the event he becomes incapacitated, his wishes are known. The Living Will is the most common advance medical directive and applies specifically to the individual's wishes pertaining to end-of-life decisions.

In order for a Living Will to be operative in Connecticut, the individual must be unable to make informed decisions and must be either in a terminal condition or permanently unconscious. These criteria are determined by the attending physician. If the Living Will is operative, then life support systems can be withheld or withdrawn including artificial means of nutrition and hydration. Certain formalities must be complied with when the individual signs or revokes a Living Will. Otherwise, it is possible that the Living Will may not be legally valid.