Document end-of-life preferences in Michigan: Michigan Living Will
What is a Michigan Living Will?
A Michigan Living Will is a legal document that lays out your preferences related to medical care, such as your acceptance or refusal of medical treatment, along with the (optional) naming of a chosen agent or healthcare decision maker.
The individual making a Living Will is known as the "principal," and the individual or organization gaining permission to carry out the principal's wishes is known as the "agent." Suited for residents of Michigan, this free Living Will can be used in Washtenaw County, Kent County, Genesee County, and in all other counties and municipalities in the state. Each Michigan Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be modified to address your unique circumstances. This official legal document provides a record of your decisions to medical providers, and it will certify that your selected agent has been authorized to make choices for you.
When to use a Michigan Living Will:
- You'd like to legally put end-of-life wishes in writing.
- You're putting together a full estate plan and want to include healthcare preferences.
How do I get my Michigan Living Will reviewed?
If you already have a Michigan Living Will and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Michigan Living Will FAQs
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How do I write a Living Will in Michigan?
It is quick and easy to document your medical wishes with a free Michigan Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make the document - Answer a few simple questions, and we will do the rest
- Send and share it - Go over the document with your healthcare agent(s) or ask a Legal Pro
- Sign and make it legal - Optional or not, witnesses and notarization are a best practice
This solution, in many cases, will be notably more affordable than finding and working with your average law firm. If needed, you can fill out this Living Will on behalf of a relative, and then help that person sign after you've drafted it. Please keep in mind that for this document to be considered valid, the principal must be mentally competent when they sign. If the principal has already been declared legally incompetent, a court-appointed conservatorship could be required. In this situation, it would be a good idea to connect with an Legal Pro.
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Who should have a Living Will?
If you are over 18 years old, you ought to have a Living Will. While it is difficult to acknowledge, there could come a time when you are no longer able to make your own healthcare decisions. Here are some typical occasions in which it would be useful to make or update your Living Will:
- You are managing a terminal illness
- You will be in the hospital for a surgical procedure
- You currently live in or are preparing to move into a care facility
- You are aging or have declining health
Regardless of whether this Michigan Living Will has been created in response to a recent change in your health or as part of a forward-looking plan, notarization and witnesses are highly encouraged for protecting your document if its lawfulness is questioned.
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Should I work with an attorney to review my Living Will in Michigan?
It’s a good idea to have important documents like your Michigan Living Will reviewed before signing, so you fully understand your choices and help avoid unintended outcomes. The problem is that some attorneys may not review documents they didn’t prepare, while others may require a retainer or high hourly fees. This can make getting a legal review of your Michigan Living Willdifficult and time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process easier. With Rocket Lawyer, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your document. You can also use Rocket Copilot to review your document, identify potential issues, and check that everything is complete before signing.
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How much would I normally pay to make a Living Will in Michigan?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Michigan Living Will can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Michigan Living Will tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask a Legal Pro for guidance.
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Does a Living Will need to be notarized or witnessed in Michigan?
The laws vary in each state; however, in Michigan, neither witnesses nor notarization is legally required. That said, both are recommended to help reinforce the legitimacy of your document. As a basic rule, witnesses must be at least 18 years old, and none should also be acting as your healthcare agent.
