A Practice Note explaining Pennsylvania living wills, which an individual (the principal) can use to provide specific instructions to health care providers, health care agents, family members, and health care representatives about the type of health care options and treatments the principal does or does not want to receive, specifically regarding end-of-life care and life-sustaining treatment including artificial nutrition and hydration. This Note provides information on the purpose and use of living wills, drafting and execution requirements, the process for making health care decisions based on instructions in a living will, and advantages and limitations as related to other health care incapacity planning documents, including health care powers of attorney, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) releases, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, and physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST).