A Living Will is a document by which you make known your wish that you do not want to be placed on artificial life support systems if you are certified by two physicians, or, as of January 2007, by one physician and one advanced registered nurse practitioner, to be terminally ill or permanently unconscious. Within the document, you also expressly state whether you want food or liquid to be given to you by artificial means if you are terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
Your health care provider will rely on your Living Will only if you are unable to express your wishes at the appropriate time, and your health care agent is unavailable to act on your behalf.
A blank New Hampshire Advance Directive form, which includes a Living Will is available to be downloaded here.