Living Wills
What is a Living Will?
A Living Will is a statement made by you which either gives instructions about the type of medical treatment you would like to have in the event that you become ill and are no longer able to make or communicate your own decisions, or, in which you refuse to have certain treatments. A common type of reason for writing a Living Will is not wanting to be kept alive if you are in a coma and won't get better.
Can I ask the Doctor to help me die in a Living Will?
No. You cannot use a Living Will to request that a doctor does anything illegal such as actively help you to die. You also cannot lawfully refuse basic care, such as being fed by mouth, being kept clean and being given pain relief.
Should I speak to my Doctor before making a Living Will?
Yes. Your doctor can help you understand about any specific conditions that may arise in your circumstances and you can make provision for these in your Living Will. It is also a good idea to ensure that your doctor knows you have made a Living Will incase something should happen to you.
How do people know about my Living Will if something happens to me?
You should make sure that your doctor and those people who are close to you know about your Living Will and you can appoint one of them to act as proxy in the event of something happening to you meaning that they are consulted about health care decisions. It is also a good idea to carry something on your person that tells whoever reads it that you have made a Living Will and gives the details of who they should contact to see it (in a similar way to your carrying a Donor Card for example).
Can I change my mind once I have made a Living Will?
As long as you are mentally capable you can revoke a Living Will at any time. Make sure that once you have done so you also inform all the people who knew of the existence of the Living Will in order to avoid any confusion.
If you have questions regarding anything mentionned above, or to make an appointment, please contact our Wills and Probate Department on 01405 765661.