Have you ever wondered about writing a Living Will, or what is sometimes known as an Advanced Directive? It seems like a very practical and important thing to do, no matter your age or your medical condition. There are so many questions, and sometimes many confusing answers. We at the Hospice Foundation of Jefferson Healthcare have put together the following, to help you through the process of writing a Living Will.

How to Write a Living Will in Washington State

A Living Will (or Advanced Healthcare Directive) is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes for medical care if you are unable to communicate these ideas yourself. It is important to have a Living Will in place in case you are ever in a situation where you cannot make your own medical decisions, no matter your age or medical condition.

What are the benefits of having a Living Will?

The benefits to having a Living Will, include:

  • It gives you peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be carried out if you are unable to make your own decisions.
  • It can help to avoid difficult decisions for your loved ones.
  • It can help to ensure that you receive the medical care that you desire.
  • It can help save money on medical care that you may not want or need.

How do I write a Living Will?

There are a few things you need to do to write a living will:

  • You need to be at least 18 years old and be of sound mind.
  • You need to have two witnesses present when you sign your Living Will.
  • You need to fill out a legal Living Will form (for WA State or wherever your current residence* is) and sign it.

What are the requirements for a Living Will in Washington State?

In Washington State, a Living Will must be:

  • In writing.
  • Signed by the person making the Living Will
  • Witnessed by two people who know you, but cannot be your health care provider nor be anyone at the facility that manages your care, nor can they benefit from your estate

Where can I get a Living Will form in Washington State?

You can get a living will form from the Washington State Department of Health

There is no cost to create a Living Will in Washington State.

What should I include in my Living Will?

  • Your name, address, and date of birth.
  • Your wishes for medical care.
  • The Living Will can include information about the person’s wishes for funeral and burial arrangements.
  • The name of your health care agent.
  • The name of an alternate health care agent.

Who should I appoint as my health care agent?

You should appoint someone you trust to be your health care agent. This person should be someone who knows your wishes and will be able to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them yourself. They must also be at least 18 years old.

What happens if I do not have a Living Will?

If you do not have a Living Will, your loved ones will have to make decisions about your medical care if you are unable to make them yourself. This can be a difficult and stressful situation for your loved ones.

There are a few risks of not having a Living Will, including:

  • Your loved ones may not know what your wishes are for medical care.
  • Your loved ones may have to make difficult decisions about your medical care.
  • You may not receive the medical care that you want.

Where should I store a Living Will:

Opinions vary, but your Living Will should be easily accessible by Family, Friends, and EMTs. Some examples are:

  • Taped to a cupboard door or a refrigerator in the kitchen .
  • Kept in a well-marked envelope in the glove compartment of your car.
  • On your phone – many smartphones are accessible for emergency information without having the passcode. EMTs are aware of this and can check your phone for directives and other medical information (prescriptions, allergies)..

What to do if I change my mind about my Living Will:

If you change your mind about your Living Will, you can simply write a new one.

You should also destroy the old Living Will so that there is no confusion about your wishes.

How can I get more information about Living Will?

You can get more information about Living Wills from the following sources:

Here are some other links to relevant information:

Remember: It is important to have a Living Will in place in case you are ever in a situation where you cannot make your own medical decisions. A Living Will can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out and that you receive the medical care that you want.

*If you have more than one legal residence, please be sure to have an appropriate form for each residence, particularly if the second residence is in another state. Laws do vary.