Using Online Tools to File a Living Will or Advance Directive
Creating a living will or advance directive is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your medical wishes are respected if you become unable to speak for yourself.
These legal documents provide clear instructions regarding life-sustaining treatment, end-of-life care, and who should make medical decisions on your behalf.
While traditionally drafted with an attorney, many individuals now prefer the convenience and affordability of using online legal services to file a living will.
These platforms allow you to create state-specific, legally binding documents from the comfort of your home, without the need for in-person meetings or excessive legal fees.
Whether you’re planning ahead for peace of mind, updating your estate documents, or simply exploring your options, this guide will walk you through how to file a living will or advance directive using today’s best online tools.
We’ll also explain how these documents fit into a broader legal plan and how to avoid common mistakes that could render them invalid or incomplete.
What Is a Living Will or Advance Directive?
A living will is a legal document that explains the kind of medical treatment you’d want or wouldn’t want, if you ever become unable to speak for yourself.
It comes into play during serious illness, injury, or permanent unconsciousness, and helps ensure your wishes are respected even if you can’t communicate them.
These decisions can include whether you’d want to receive CPR if your heart stops, be placed on a ventilator, continue artificial feeding, receive maximum pain relief even if it shortens life, or donate your organs.
Often, a living will is part of a broader document called an advance directive, which may also include naming a healthcare proxy, someone you trust to make medical choices on your behalf.
This is sometimes referred to as a medical power of attorney. If you’re wondering where to create a legally binding power of attorney online, most reputable legal platforms now offer this as part of their living will and estate planning bundles.
Why More People Are Turning to Online Legal Tools
Not long ago, you’d have to hire a lawyer and spend hundreds to draft something like this. Today, it’s easier and more accessible than ever, especially with modern platforms like LegalZoom, Nolo, Rocket Lawyer, and Trust & Will.
These services offer legally valid, state-specific templates and walk you through the process using everyday language.
The result? More people from freelancers and new parents to landlords and retirees, are taking their legal planning into their own hands. It’s quicker. It’s more affordable. And, often, it’s just as effective.
If you’re still comparing services, we’ve reviewed them in detail in our article Best Legal Document Services in 2025: What They Offer and Who They’re For.
How to File a Living Will Online (Step by Step)
1. Choose a Platform That Fits
Start with a platform that matches your needs. LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer both offer strong estate planning tools, and Rocket Lawyer is especially useful for entrepreneurs who want ongoing access to business-friendly documents.
Learn more in What Services Does Rocket Lawyer Offer for Small Business Owners.
Not sure which one to pick? See our detailed breakdown: LegalZoom vs. Rocket Lawyer: Which Legal Service Is Right for You.
Prefer a one-time purchase with no monthly subscription? Nolo may be the better fit, especially for individuals comfortable handling forms without legal representation.
If you’re wondering whether it’s the right choice for your situation, see Is Nolo Worth It for DIY Legal Contracts for a full breakdown of what the platform offers.
And if you’re forming a business or launching your first LLC, Incfile offers estate planning tools alongside business formation. Check out Why Incfile Is Popular for First-Time Entrepreneurs.
2. Answer Questions That Define Your Wishes
Once you’re set up, you’ll answer a series of guided questions. These cover sensitive, but essential topics, like how you’d want to be treated in the event of permanent unconsciousness, severe brain injury, or terminal illness.
You’ll be asked how aggressive you want doctors to be with life-sustaining treatment, whether you prefer comfort-focused care, who should make decisions on your behalf, and your stance on organ donation.
If you’re handling these questions on your own, you may find our article 5 Things Freelancers Should Know About Online Legal Forms helpful.
3. Sign and Finalize According to Your State’s Law
After completing the form, you’ll receive a downloadable document. To make it official, you’ll need to sign it and depending on your state, you may also need one or two witnesses, or a notary.
Before you finalize anything, it’s worth reviewing the details carefully. Even a small oversight can affect whether your form is legally valid. We break down common pitfalls in Top Mistakes to Avoid When Using Online Legal Templates so you can be sure your document is done right the first time.
Don’t let the legal formalities intimidate you. Most platforms offer clear, step-by-step instructions tailored to your state. If you’re wondering whether a lawyer is necessary, see Do You Really Need a Lawyer to Write a Contract? Here’s the DIY Alternative. In most cases, you’ll find that you don’t.
4. Share, Store, and Stay Organized
Once your document is finalized, be sure to tell someone. Give a copy to your doctor. Share one with your healthcare proxy. Store a digital backup somewhere safe and accessible. Several services, like Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom, even offer secure cloud vaults for this purpose.
This simple step ensures your wishes can be found and followed when it matters most.
How It Connects with the Rest of Your Legal Life
A living will is important, but it’s just one part of your overall legal and financial foundation. When thoughtfully combined with other documents, it helps create a comprehensive plan that protects not just your health decisions, but your property, business interests, and family responsibilities.
For example, if you’re a landlord, having a living will is just one piece of the puzzle. You may also need lease-specific clauses, property management contingencies, or estate planning documents that clarify what happens to your rental assets in the event of incapacity or death.
Learn more in our guide to the Best Legal Services for Landlords in 2025, especially if you manage multiple properties or share ownership.
And if you need help drafting or updating rental documents, don’t miss our review of the Best Online Services for Lease Agreements and Rental Contracts, ideal for creating legally sound leases without a lawyer.
Business owners face unique risks. Many choose to pair a living will with a custom NDA, a buy-sell agreement, and even business continuity instructions.
For those managing multiple legal tasks, services like Rocket Lawyer can simplify the process. See How Small Businesses Use Rocket Lawyer for Compliance to understand how entrepreneurs integrate tools like this into day-to-day operations.
These documents protect sensitive information and ensure a clear path forward if leadership unexpectedly changes. If confidentiality is part of your work, don’t miss our breakdown of How to Make a Custom NDA with LegalZoom or Nolo.
Entrepreneurs just getting started often find that legal planning overlaps quickly. As they form an LLC, open a business bank account, and sign their first contracts, it makes sense to also complete key personal protections like a living will or healthcare proxy.
If you’re launching a company, check out How to Start an LLC with Incfile: Step-by-Step Guide, and see how estate tools can fit into that process.
Even freelancers, gig workers, and remote professionals, many of whom operate without HR support or group benefits can benefit from combining their business paperwork with basic legal protections for health and family decisions.
Whatever your stage in life or business, the reality is this: a living will is just the beginning. When paired with the right tools, it becomes part of a flexible legal system designed to support you in the moments that matter most legally, financially, and personally.
Why It Matters in Real Life
Advance directives may seem like abstract legal forms, until the moment they’re needed.
Imagine a scenario where a family is called to the hospital after a loved one suffers a sudden stroke. The medical team asks if there are any documented care preferences.
Instead of confusion or panic, the family confidently presents a digital copy of the living will prepared months or even years earlier using an online legal service.
Because that document exists, decisions are made quickly and respectfully. The medical team acts according to the patient’s wishes. The family isn’t left second-guessing or arguing in the middle of a crisis.
Moments like that are why people take the time to prepare a living will. Not because they expect the worst, but because they care enough to plan ahead. A legally valid document doesn’t just outline preferences, it brings clarity, comfort, and control when everything else feels out of your hands.
A Quick Word on Legitimacy
It’s natural to wonder whether a legal document created online is truly valid. The short answer is yes, online living wills and advance directives are fully legal in all 50 states, as long as they meet your state’s requirements for signing, witnessing, and in some cases, notarization.
Trusted platforms like LegalZoom, Nolo, and Rocket Lawyer provide state-specific templates and compliance guidance to ensure your documents hold up in real-world situations. But like with any legal tool, the key is doing it correctly.
Still unsure whether online legal tools are recognized in court? We break it all down in Are Online Legal Services Legit? What the Law Says in 2025 from state-by-state rules to how judges treat these documents in practice.
Final Thoughts
Too often, conversations about end-of-life care happen too late during a medical emergency, in a waiting room, or under pressure. That’s when families are forced to make high-stakes decisions with no clear guidance, often unsure of what their loved one truly wanted.
A living will or advance directive helps prevent that. It gives you a voice when you can’t speak and spares your family the emotional weight of uncertainty.
With the growth of online legal services, it’s now faster and easier than ever to create these documents from home, with step-by-step support and state-specific templates.
If you’re considering your options, start with our guide to the Best Legal Document Services in 2025, or compare two of the leading platforms in LegalZoom vs. Rocket Lawyer: Which Legal Service Is Right for You.
Planning ahead isn’t complicated, it’s just responsible. And when the time comes, having your wishes in writing can make all the difference.
People Also Ask
Are online living wills legal?
Yes, as long as you follow your state’s rules for signing, witnessing, and notarization. Reputable platforms guide you through it correctly.
Which service is best for creating a living will?
It depends on your needs. LegalZoom offers bundled estate tools. Rocket Lawyer is great for ongoing access. Nolo is ideal for one-time DIY forms.
Do I need a lawyer to make a living will?
Not usually. Online tools are more than sufficient for most situations and come with step-by-step legal compliance instructions.
Is Nolo good for estate planning?
Yes. If you’re comfortable with DIY forms and don’t need personalized legal advice, Affordable Estate Planning with Nolo: Worth It? is a great place to start.
Where should I store my living will?
Keep both physical and digital copies. Share with your doctor, your proxy, and store it somewhere secure, such as a password-protected cloud account.