A Living Will, also known as “Advance Directive for Medical/Surgical Treatment” is a legal document where you express your medical treatment preferences in the event you have a terminal condition or are in persistent vegetative state (patient is completely unresponsive to psychological and physical stimuli and displays no sign of higher brain function, being kept alive only by medical intervention) and you are unable to speak for yourself. In the Living Will you will be able to indicate your choices about life sustaining treatment and artificial nutrition and hydration as well as tissue and organ donation. The Living Will works in conjunction with the Medical Durable Power of Attorney (MDPOA) which appoints your Health Care Agent (agent). Best practice is to have your MDPOA and Living Will notarized. Once a Living Will is completed you need to provide a copy to your doctor and agent.
Information Needed
Before you start completing a living will, ensure you have the following information available.
Know your preferred medical treatment at end-of-life.
There is no wrong or right end-of-life medical treatment, what matters is what you prefer.
Best Practices
To make sure that you get the most benefit from a living will, follow these tips from our experts.
Discuss your desired medical treatment at end-of-life with your agent, alternates, doctor, religious leader, or any other person in your life that is part of your support circle.
Get the form notarized by a notary public. Usually your bank will offer free notary services.
You must sign the form in front of the notary public. Do not sign the form until you are in the notary's presence.
Who to Notify
To ensure that your wishes are followed and the living will is acknowledged, make sure you give copies to the following individuals.
Give Copies of Form to:
Agent (appointed by a MDPOA)
Alternate agents, if any
Doctor
Download a Living Will
More Advance Directives
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Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
Representative Payee
Medical Power of Attorney
Behavioral Health Order Form