Living Will Solicitors

A living will allows you to refuse certain medical procedures or treatments in advance. This means that if you ever end up in a vulnerable position, you won’t be subject to something you would never agree to when fully fit and able.

How our Living Will Solicitors help

At Rowlinsons, we have extensive experience helping our clients plan for the future, including putting steps in place to ensure their wishes are carried out even when they can no longer make decisions for themselves.

We understand that your needs are unique and our friendly Living Will specialists are here to help you with tailored legal advice and make sure you get the final say on your health, no matter what happens.

Our award-winning team includes some of the most prominent and renowned Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Solicitors in Cheshire many of whom are members of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) highlighting our expertise in this area. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.

What is a living will?

A living will – or advance directive as it is legally termed – is a legal document that lets you express your desire to refuse certain treatment in the event that you can no longer make the decision for yourself. For example, if you become incapacitated through injury or a terminal illness.

The document contains a legally binding statement detailing the treatments you do not want to receive and the specific circumstances when you want to refuse them. So, for example, you may say that if you ever end up in a vegetative state you do not want to be kept alive by a life support machine.

A living will only becomes applicable once you lose the capacity to say what you want. It’s best to take specialist legal advice and guidance from your doctor when drafting your living will.

Why make a living will?

You might consider making a living will if you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, are living with a long-term degenerative condition, or are in a line of work where life-threatening injuries are at a higher risk.

You may also simply wish to plan for any eventuality. There is no way of knowing whether you may be injured or struck down with something that makes it impossible to communicate your wishes. You may baulk at the thought that your beliefs, values, and medical preferences might not be considered.

A living will gives you control over the treatments you wish to refuse. What’s more, the advantage of planning ahead is that you have time to consider and discuss with loved ones and your doctor what you want from your end-of-life care so you can ensure that you’re treated with the dignity and respect you deserve. It can also help to avoid disagreements between those caring for you such as family members and medical staff about the best course of action for you.

Without a living will in place, other people will make the decisions regarding your medical care and treatment. Naturally, medical staff and your family will act in your best interests but their course of action may not be what you want.

How to make a living will

For a living will to be valid you must be over eighteen years old and of sound mind. The first step is to discuss your intentions with a healthcare professional who understands your medical history and can help you decide which treatments you want to refuse and in which situations.

Then you need to plan and draft the document. You need to state when the living will is to be used, what treatment you want to refuse, and under what circumstances. You also need to state that you understand the possible implications and include a statement that says your advance decision applies even if your life is at risk. To make it valid, the living will must be signed by you and a witness.

Make sure that your loved ones are aware of your living will. They need to know where to find it, and it needs to be shown on your medical records. Don’t forget, a living will can be withdrawn at any time if you change your mind. Rowlinsons are always here to advise if your circumstances change.

Living wills are often created at the same time as appointing a health and welfare lasting power of attorney.  LPA gives you peace of mind that someone you trust will be able to make decisions on your behalf should you ever become unable to do so yourself.

For help preparing and drafting your living will or with appointing LPA, Rowlinsons offer specialist legal advice to guide you throughout the process. We’ll create a living will tailored to you to ensure that your wishes for your medical treatment are carried out.

Contact our Living Will Solicitors

It can be difficult to think ahead to a future where you could be unable to make decisions for yourself, but it is often important to do so. If you know you will want to refuse specific types of treatments, procedures or medications, a living will can ensure those choices are upheld even if you become unable to voice your concerns to medical staff or family members.

Our Solicitors in Cheshire are based in our Frodsham and Sutton Weaver offices. Our Will Writing Solicitors regularly help clients to achieve a solid plan for their living will, including all necessary communication with doctors and family to ensure your wishes are respected at all times.

Rowlinsons Solicitors acts across the Northwest region, including St Helens, Widnes, Warrington, Chester, and Northwich. We can act for clients across England and Wales, so talk to our team today.

Call us today for an initial no-obligation call, or click here for a callback. We also have meeting facilities in North Wales for family law clients.