Smart Legal Guide for Your Living Will – Australia
Understanding the Concept of a Living Will
A living will, also known as an advance directive, is a legal document that communicates your desires about medical treatment should you become unable to express informed consent. This document is prepared and signed when you’re in good health but becomes effective when you’re incapable of making decisions due to illness or incapacity. It’s a way of retaining control over your medical care even in the worst-case scenarios.
🔹 Living wills allow you to establish your preferences for life-sustaining treatments such as resuscitation, ventilation, and feeding tubes.
🔹 They also enable you to define your wishes regarding pain management and end-of-life care.
What to Include in a Living Will
While the contents of a living will can vary depending on personal preferences and circumstances, here are some essential things you should include:
🔹 Your full name, address, and date of birth: These are required to identify you and validate your document.
🔹 Your medical preferences: Specify your desires for medical treatment in different scenarios.
🔹 Your healthcare proxy: If you wish, you can appoint a person to make medical decisions on your behalf when you’re unable to do so.
🔹 Your signature and date: These are required to make the document legally binding.
🔹 Witness signatures: Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need one or two witnesses to sign your living will.
How to Structure a Living Will
A living will should be clear, concise, and comprehensive. Here’s a suggested structure:
🔹 Introduction: This section includes your personal information and a statement of intent.
🔹 Medical Directives: Here, you articulate your wishes for medical treatment in various scenarios.
🔹 Appointment of a Healthcare Proxy: If applicable, identify the person you wish to make medical decisions on your behalf.
🔹 Signatures: Include your signature, the date, and witness signatures if needed.
Though it’s possible to draft a living will by yourself, it’s highly recommended to use a trusted service or seek legal advice to ensure its validity. LawDepot offers a straightforward and affordable solution for creating a living will. You can access their service [here](https://www.lawdepot.ca/contracts/living-will-form/?pid=pg-J5UIASKEDL-living-will-formtextlink&loc=AU).
If you’re interested in learning more about LawDepot and their services, check out our comprehensive [LawDepot review](/lawdepot-review/) for an in-depth look at what they offer.
If you’re ready to start creating your Your Living Will – Australia, consider using a trusted online service provider.