What is the primary purpose of a living will?

The primary purpose of a living will is to specify an individual's healthcare preferences in the event that they become incapacitated and are unable to communicate their wishes. This document allows a person to outline their desires regarding medical treatment, such as the use of life-sustaining measures or other medical interventions, ensuring that their personal values and preferences are respected during critical medical situations. By having a living will in place, individuals can have peace of mind knowing that their healthcare decisions will align with their wishes, even when they cannot voice them.

The other options relate to different aspects of estate planning and are not applicable to the concept of a living will. For example, the distribution of assets after death pertains to wills and estates rather than healthcare decisions during life. Legal documents for asset transfer are typically more related to powers of attorney or estate planning documents, while appointing a personal representative is a function of a will concerning the administration of an estate after a person’s death. Thus, these choices do not capture the essence of what a living will is designed to accomplish.