Famous End-of-Life Disputes That Could Have Been Avoided With a Living Will
When someone becomes unable to make their own medical decisions, having a living will in place can prevent confusion, delay, and painful conflict among loved ones. A living will provides clear instructions for medical care—especially around treatments you want or don’t want—if you are terminally ill or in a permanent vegetative state.
Unfortunately, when no such document exists, families and courts are often left to guess. Below are several high-profile cases where the absence of a living will led to public controversy, prolonged legal battles, and emotional turmoil.
1. Terri Schiavo (Florida, 1990–2005)
Terri Schiavo collapsed in 1990 and fell into a persistent vegetative state. For years, her husband and her parents battled in court over whether she should remain on life support. Her husband insisted that Terri would not have wanted to be kept alive in that condition, while her parents disagreed.
The legal battle lasted 15 years, involved multiple court rulings and political interventions, and ended in 2005 when her feeding tube was removed. This case became a national flashpoint in the right-to-die debate. A legally binding living will from Terri could have saved her family from years of heartache and courtroom conflict.
2. Nancy Cruzan (Missouri, 1983–1990)
In 1983, 25-year-old Nancy Cruzan lost control of her car and was left in a vegetative state. Her family believed she would not want to live indefinitely with no hope of recovery. However, without a living will, the hospital refused to remove her feeding tube without a court order.
The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that clear and convincing evidence of the patient’s wishes was required to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. Eventually, new testimony from friends allowed the removal of life support. Nancy’s ordeal led to the creation of the 1990 Patient Self-Determination Act, which encourages Americans to complete advance directives, such as a living will.
3. Bobbi Kristina Brown (Georgia, 2015)
Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, was found unresponsive in a bathtub in 2015. She never regained consciousness and was kept on life support for months. While the details of her medical decisions remained private, public reports confirmed that her family was divided on how to proceed.
Her case highlighted how the absence of a living will—even for young adults—can lead to uncertainty, extended suffering, and family tension during already devastating moments.
Final Thought
These famous cases demonstrate how a simple legal document can offer clarity, peace of mind, and protection for loved ones. If you haven’t created one yet, start today with TrustHandled’s living will tool—an easy way to document your wishes and spare your family from difficult decisions.
