How do I create a living will?

Creating a living will in Washington is a relatively simple process. First, you need to choose a set of health care directives. This includes tasks like who would make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so, who would receive power of attorney, or if you would or would not like to be resuscitated or kept on life support if the situation arises. Once you decide which directives you want to include, you must review and sign the document. It is important to sign the document in front of two witnesses who are not related to you and are not named in the living will. After signing, all three people must also sign the document in front of a notary public. Once the document is signed, it is recommended to keep a copy at home, in a safe deposit box, or with a trusted friend or family member. For extra security, you may want to provide extra copies to a lawyer or health care provider for safe-keeping. It is also important to review your living will periodically to make sure it accurately reflects your wishes and choose someone reliable to make decisions if you are not able to do so. Doing so will ensure that your wishes are upheld in Washington state should the need arise.

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