An advance directive, also called a personal directive or living will, is a document that explains personal wishes about end-of-life medical treatment in case decision-making or communication abilities are lost. An advance directive specifies the conditions under which certain kinds of treatment or life-support measures would or would not be wanted.

An advance directive can be changed or revoked at any time and will not take effect until a person is no longer able to make or communicate decisions. Copies of advance directives should be given to and discussed with a person's health professional and family members.

Although advance directives can be written without the help of an attorney, legal advice may be useful. This is especially true for people who live in provinces or territories where the laws governing them are unclear. Many hospitals and nursing homes provide advance directive forms that comply with provincial or territorial requirements.