A living will—also known as an Advance Health Care Directive—is a document in which the declarant or principal (person making the living will) specifies what kind of medical treatment the declarant does and does not want if the declarant has a medical emergency and is unable to communicate those wishes. A living will may direct health care providers to administer, withhold, or withdraw life-sustaining treatments if the declarant is in a terminal or irreversible condition.

Laws and terminology for documents related to living wills, Advance Health Care Directives, Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNRs), and other health care documents vary from state to state. These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the probate code or estates code.

In Iowa, a living will is recognized under the Iowa Code Chapter 144A, known as the 'Iowa Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Act.' This document allows an individual, known as the declarant, to outline their preferences for medical treatment in the event they are unable to communicate due to a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness. The living will can include instructions on whether to administer, withhold, or withdraw life-sustaining procedures. Additionally, Iowa recognizes the use of Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, which allows a person to designate an attorney-in-fact to make health care decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. It's important for individuals to ensure that their living will and any other advance directives comply with Iowa's specific legal requirements to be valid. It is advisable to consult with an attorney to create or review these documents to ensure they accurately reflect the individual's wishes and are enforceable under Iowa law.