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Living Will
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Living Will
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This form allows you to put your wishes about your medical care in writing. You can choose what you would want if you were too sick to make your wishes known. You can state when you would or would not want food and water supplied artificially.
How does a Living Will work?
A Living Will states how much you want to use life-support methods to lengthen your life. It takes effect only when you are:
- in a coma that is not expected to end, OR
- beyond medical help with no hope of getting better OR
- expected to die and can't make your wishes known.
The people giving you medical care must do what you say in your Living Will. A Living Will gives them the right to follow your wishes. Only you can change or cancel your Living Will. You can do so at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Living Wills:
If I have a Durable Power of Attorney for medical care, do I need a Living Will, too?
You may want both. Each addresses different parts of your medical care. A Living Will makes your wishes known directly to your doctors, but only states your wishes about the use of life-support methods. A Durable Power of Attorney for medical care allows a person you choose to carry out your wishes for all of your medical care when you can't act for yourself. A Durable Power of Attorney for medical care does not overrule a Living Will.
Can I change my advance directive?
Yes, you can change your advance directive whenever you want. If you already have an advance directive, make sure it follows Ohio's law (effective October 10, 1991). You may want to contact a lawyer for help.It is a good idea to look over your advance directives from time to time. Make sure they still say what you want and that they cover all areas.
Click here for more information on Durable Power of Attorney.
What do I do with my forms after filling them out?
- You should give copies to your doctor and health care facility to put into your medical record.
- Give one to a trusted family member or friend. If you have chosen someone in a Durable Power of Attorney for medical care, give that person a copy.
- Put a copy with your personal papers.
- You may want to give one to your lawyer or clergy person.
- Be sure to tell your family or friends - persons close to you - about what you have done. Don't just put these forms away and forget about them.
The above information is not intended to be specific legal advice, but to help you understand your rights under the law. For legal advice, you may want to talk to a lawyer. For information about free legal services, call the Ohio State Legal Services toll-free at 1-800-589-5888, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The above information was provided by a brochure entitled “You Have the Right” from the Ohio Department of Human Services.
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