How do I create a living will?

Creating a living will is an important step for you and your loved ones so your wishes are known in the event of a medical emergency. In North Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old to create a living will. First, create a document expressing your wishes. Before starting, find out what a living will entails in North Carolina and what language the document must contain. Consider consulting an elder law attorney for advice and to ensure your document follows all of the legal requirements. Your living will should make it clear that the document is a legally binding instrument and that it expresses your directives and wishes regarding your health care in the event that you are not able to make your own decisions. You should also list specific directions as to which treatments or medical procedures you do or do not wish to undertake. You will need to provide a copy to your healthcare provider and have two adult witnesses sign the document. Make sure your witnesses are not named as an agent in the document. Finally, for the document to be valid in North Carolina, you must sign the document in front of a notary public. Once all of these steps have been completed, your living will will be legally binding.

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