living will checklist

read the living will carefully to make sure it meets your needs. this document will be legally enforceable if you are suffering exactly in the way you have described and you have lost the mental capacity to communicate your wishes to your healthcare professionals.

it is a very important document that could dictate the end of your life. be sure that it meets your particular needs and make sure that you have discussed it with your doctor and your family. remember that if you have any questions you can easily ask a lawyer.

you should also ask a lawyer if you are unable to physically sign your living will. it is still possible for you to complete a living will but a different clause will need to be added at this point depending upon your individual circumstances.

1. print a copy of the living will. you cannot sign online. do not sign or date it yet.

2. if during the interview you indicated that you have discussed this living will with your gp you will find a schedule attached at the end of the document which is the gp’s confirmation that they have discussed the living will and its implications with you. your gp needs to sign and date the confirmation before you sign.

3. you need two different witnesses to witness the living will. each witness must have mental capacity and should:

   1. not be under the age of 18

   2. not be a family member

   3. not benefit from your death (ie inherit something from you under your will or the intestacy provisions).

4. after your gp has signed the schedule you should date the living will in longhand where the document says 'this advance decision has been executed on...' and sign with your normal signature on the line over your name in front of your witnesses.

5. the witnesses must then sign with their normal signature on the line beside the words 'witness signature' and then add their names, addresses and their relationship to you (ie doctor, healthcare worker or friend). this helps to find your witnesses if anyone should challenge in the future that your living will was not witnessed properly.