Living Will

A living will tells your doctor whether you want death-delaying procedures used if you have a terminal condition and are unable to state your wishes. A living will, unlike a healthcare power of attorney, applies only if you have a terminal condition. A terminal condition means an incurable and irreversible condition such that death is imminent and the application of any death delaying procedures serves only to prolong the dying process.

Even if you sign a living will, food and water cannot be withdrawn if it would be the only cause of death. Also, if you are pregnant and doctors think you could have a live birth, your living will cannot go into effect.

You can use a standard living will form or write your own. You may write specific directions about the death-delaying procedures you do or do not want.

Two people must witness your signing of the living will. Your doctor cannot be a witness. It is your responsibility to tell your doctor if you have a living will if you are able to do so. You can cancel your living will at any time, either by telling someone or by canceling it in writing.

If you have both a healthcare power of attorney and a living will, the agent you name in your power of attorney will make your healthcare decisions unless he or she is unavailable.

Available Adobe PDF Files

Please click on the files below to download:

Documents in English		Documents in Spanish
	Living Will		Living Will
	Informative Brochure

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click on the Adobe Reader icon below to download the FREE version.