Writing a Living Will?

As a living will is considered to be a legal document in most parts of the UK, it is advisable to have it drawn up by a solicitor although it is possible to draft your own document.

If you do decide to draft your own living will it is essential to adhere to the following criteria to ensure the document is deemed valid;

• the individual must be over 18 years
• the individual must be of sound mind
• the date when the living will was written should be stated clearly within the document
• the document must be signed in front of two witnesses (ideally one of the witnesses should be a health care professional)
• the witnesses must then sign the document stating the individual is of sound mind at the time of writing the Living Will

The Living Will should contain information of what should happen in certain medical scenarios, a common list of these being;

• Chronic illness which is not treatable
• Coma
• Vegetative state
• Brain damage
• Serious illness which may be treated

Taking each of the above scenarios the opportunity is then available to state what medical intervention should occur;

• Prolong life
• Attempt to cure and review and if no response then cease treatment
• Do not use...... (specify a type of treatment)
• Make comfortable
• Do not resuscitate
• No antibiotic treatment
• No Artificial feeding

If an individual is diagnosed with a life threatening illness it is possible that they may be prompted by this news to take action and make a living will. As long as the person is of sound mind at that moment in time and appears to be consistent the document will be deemed valid. Advice may be sought from GP's who will be able to advise on the type of medical treatments which may be used at different stages of the illness and the severity of the conditions as the illness progresses over time. This could help clarify some decisions on whether or not to pursue certain types of medical intervention.

Download the Living Wills PDF Guide here - see our other free PDF guides here

Guide Contents

Living Wills
Writing a Living Will
In the absence of a living will
Frequently asked questions about Living Wills
Further help and guidance about Living Wills

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