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In Missouri, the Living Will form serves as a crucial document for individuals who wish to express their medical treatment preferences in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes. This form allows you to outline your desires regarding life-sustaining treatments, ensuring that your choices are respected when you cannot speak for yourself. It typically includes instructions on whether you want to receive or refuse specific medical interventions, such as resuscitation or artificial nutrition. By completing this document, you can provide clarity to your loved ones and healthcare providers about your end-of-life care preferences. Additionally, the Living Will can help alleviate the emotional burden on family members during difficult times, guiding them to make decisions that align with your values and wishes. Understanding the significance of this form is vital for anyone looking to maintain control over their healthcare choices, even when they can no longer advocate for themselves.
Similar forms
The Missouri Living Will form is similar to an Advance Directive. Both documents allow individuals to outline their preferences regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes. An Advance Directive can encompass a broader range of decisions, including appointing a healthcare proxy who can make decisions on behalf of the individual. This added layer of authority can provide peace of mind, ensuring that someone trusted will advocate for the person's healthcare preferences in critical situations.
Another document akin to the Missouri Living Will is the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. This document specifically designates an individual to make healthcare decisions on someone’s behalf if they are incapacitated. While the Living Will focuses on specific medical treatment preferences, the Durable Power of Attorney allows for a more flexible approach, enabling the appointed agent to make decisions based on the circumstances at hand. This can be particularly beneficial when unexpected medical situations arise that were not explicitly addressed in the Living Will.
When considering important health care legal documents, it's essential to also explore options like the Colorado PDF Forms, which can provide structured formats for medical power of attorney and other directives. These documents are crucial for communicating one's healthcare wishes and making sure that trusted individuals can act on their behalf if necessary.
The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is also comparable to the Missouri Living Will. A DNR order specifically instructs medical personnel not to perform CPR or other life-saving measures in the event of cardiac arrest. While the Living Will provides broader guidance on medical treatment preferences, a DNR order is a more focused directive that can be crucial in emergency situations. It ensures that an individual’s wishes regarding resuscitation are respected, aligning with their overall end-of-life care goals.
Lastly, the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form shares similarities with the Missouri Living Will. The POLST is designed for individuals with serious health conditions who want to ensure their treatment preferences are documented and honored across various healthcare settings. Like the Living Will, it addresses specific medical interventions, but it is typically more detailed and is intended to be actionable across different healthcare environments. This form is particularly valuable for those seeking to communicate their wishes clearly to all healthcare providers involved in their care.
Document Overview
| Fact Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | A Missouri Living Will allows individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves. |
| Governing Law | The Missouri Living Will form is governed by the Missouri Revised Statutes, specifically Chapter 404, which outlines the provisions for advance directives. |
| Eligibility | Any adult who is of sound mind can create a Living Will in Missouri. This includes individuals aged 18 and older. |
| Witness Requirement | The Living Will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the document. These witnesses cannot be related to the individual or have any financial interest in their estate. |
| Revocation | A Living Will can be revoked at any time by the individual, either verbally or in writing, as long as they are still of sound mind. |
| Healthcare Proxy | While a Living Will outlines specific medical wishes, it does not appoint a healthcare proxy. A separate document is needed to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. |
Additional State-specific Living Will Forms
Is Advance Directive Same as Living Will - Consider having legal or professional guidance when completing your Living Will.
When engaging in a transaction, it is essential to have a clear record of the exchange, making the use of a Georgia Bill of Sale form indispensable. This legal document helps avoid ambiguities and ensures both parties understand their rights and responsibilities. For those looking to easily obtain and complete this form, resources such as Georgia PDF Forms can be extremely helpful in facilitating the process.
Mass Health Care Proxy - When filled out correctly, a Living Will can protect your rights as a patient during critical times.
Sample - Missouri Living Will Form
Missouri Living Will Template
This Living Will is designed to comply with the requirements established under Missouri law. It allows you to outline your healthcare preferences in the event that you are unable to communicate these wishes yourself.
Effective Date: This Living Will shall become effective immediately upon execution.
Principal’s Information:
- Name: ____________________________________
- Address: __________________________________
- City: ______________ Zip Code: ____________
- Date of Birth: ____________________________
Healthcare Representative:
- Name: ____________________________________
- Address: __________________________________
- City: ______________ Zip Code: ____________
- Phone Number: ____________________________
Declaration: I, the undersigned, hereby declare that if I become unable to make my own healthcare decisions, the following is my wish regarding the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments:
- If I am diagnosed with a terminal condition and I am unable to communicate my wishes, I request that all life-sustaining treatments be withheld or withdrawn.
- If I am in a state of persistent unconsciousness, I do not desire extraordinary measures to be taken to prolong my dying process.
Additional Instructions: You may include specific instructions about other medical treatments or care you wish to receive or withhold:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Signatures: This Living Will must be signed by the principal in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public, as required by Missouri law.
Signed this ____ day of ____________, 20___.
Principal’s Signature: ___________________________________________
Witness 1: ________________________________________
Witness 2: ________________________________________
Notary Public:
State of Missouri
County of __________________
Subscribed and sworn to before me on this ____ day of ____________, 20___.
Notary Signature: ________________________________
My commission expires: _________________________