Advance decisions in-depth

A advance decision or ‘living will’ is a legal statement from a donor about which medical treatments they wish to refuse, should the scenario arise. It is the responsibility of the attorney to give this document to staff involved with your care, along with a health and welfare lasting power of attorney.

It is important to let your family, carers and other health professionals know your wishes about refusing treatment if you’re unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. By having a living will you are enabling your attorney(s) to provide evidence of your wishes. The treatments you’re deciding to refuse must be specified in the living will to avoid any ambiguity. You may want to refuse a treatment in some situations, but not others. If this is the case, you need to be clear about all the circumstances in which you want to refuse this treatment. If you change your mind about the treatment you wish to refuse you must make a new living will as soon as possible.

You can make a living will as long as you have the mental capacity to make such decisions, including the ability to understand the repercussions of your requests. If you wish to refuse life-sustaining treatment in the future, your living will must be clearly written down, signed and dated by you, and signed and dated by a witness.

If you wish to refuse life-sustaining/life-saving treatments in situations where you might die as a result of your refusal, you must clearly state this clearly in your living will.

We recommend that you talk to a doctor or senior nurse about the kinds of treatments you might be offered in the future, and what consequences might occur if you choose not to have them. It’s important to note that LR Estate Planning advisers are not medical professionals and cannot offer you the necessary medical advice regarding your specific needs.

If you wish to make a living will or hear more information, please contact LR Estate Planning for an adviser to go through the various options available to you.