Document end-of-life preferences in Alaska: Alaska Living Will
What is an Alaska Living Will?
The person making a Living Will is known as the "principal," while the individual or organization gaining authority to carry out the principal's wishes is known as the "agent." Suitable for residents of Alaska, this Living Will is made for use in Fairbanks North Star County, Anchorage County, Matanuska-Susitna County, and in all other counties and municipalities throughout the state. Each Alaska Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be edited to address your unique scenario. As a result of this essential legal document, your medical institutions will have a record of your decisions, and your representative will be able to provide confirmation that they have been given the authority to act in your interest.
When to use an Alaska Living Will:
- You have a preference about end of life care, and want to make your wishes known.
- You want to be prepared in case you're incapacitated and important medical decisions are being made.
Alaska Living Will FAQs
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How do I write a Living Will in Alaska?
It is fast and easy to set forth your medical wishes with a free Alaska Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make the document - Provide a few simple details, and we will do the rest
- Send or share - Go over it with your healthcare agent or ask a lawyer
- Sign it and make it legal - Required or not, notarization/witnesses are recommended
This solution will often be much more affordable and convenient than meeting and hiring a conventional law firm. If necessary, you can prepare a Living Will on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another family member, and then have that person sign when ready. Keep in mind that for a Living Will to be legally valid, the principal must be a mentally competent adult when they sign. In the event that the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a court-appointed conservatorship may be required. When dealing with such a situation, it would be a good idea for you to connect with an attorney .
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Do I need to make a Living Will?
Anyone who is over 18 ought to have a Living Will in place. While it's challenging to acknowledge, there could come a time when you are no longer able to make healthcare decisions on your own. Here are some typical situations in which it may be useful to make or update your Living Will:
- You expect to be hospitalized for a medical procedure
- You are getting older or have declining health
- You are currently managing a terminal illness
- You intend to live in an adult care facility
Whether your Alaska Living Will is being produced in response to a change in your health or as part of a long-term plan, notarization and witnesses are highly encouraged as a best practice for protecting this document and your agent if anyone doubts their privileges.
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Do I need a lawyer for my Living Will in Alaska?
Making a Living Will is normally simple; however, you or your agent(s) may still need legal advice. Seeking out a legal professional to review your Alaska Living Will could be time-intensive and relatively expensive. An easier and more cost-effective alternative is to request help from the Rocket Lawyer On Call® attorney network. If you become a Premium member, you can get your documents reviewed or send any questions. As always, you can rest assured that Rocket Lawyer will be by your side.
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How much might I traditionally need to pay to make a Living Will in Alaska?
The cost of finding and working with a legal provider to draft a Living Will might range anywhere between two hundred and one thousand dollars. Rocket Lawyer can offer much more protection than many other Living Will template providers that you may come across elsewhere. As a Rocket Lawyer Premium member, you can get up to 40% in savings when hiring an attorney from our Rocket Lawyer attorney network.
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Will I have to take additional actions once I write my Alaska Living Will?
With a Rocket Lawyer membership, you may edit it, save it as a PDF document or Word file, and/or print it out. To make your Alaska Living Will truly legal, you will need to sign it. Your agent(s) and care providers should receive copies of your fully executed document.
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Does a Living Will need to be notarized or witnessed in Alaska?
The specific requirements and restrictions governing Living Wills will vary by state; however, in Alaska, your Living Will must be signed by two witnesses or notarized. Your witnesses should not be your healthcare provider or any employee of the institution or facility where you are receiving care. Only one witness can be someone who is an heir/beneficiary or who is otherwise legally related to you (such as a spouse or family member.) As a general rule, your witnesses will need to be at least 18 years old, and none should also be acting as your healthcare agent.
