Document end-of-life preferences in Florida: Florida Living Will
What is a Florida Living Will?
A Florida Living Will is a legal document that sets forth your preferences related to medical care, such as your request for or refusal of certain medical treatments and procedures, in addition to the optional appointment of a trusted healthcare agent.
The person making a Living Will is known as the "principal," and the individual or organization obtaining authority to carry out the principal's wishes is called the "agent." Suitable for Florida residents, this free Living Will can be used in Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and in every other region in the state. Any Florida Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be fully customized for your unique scenario. This legal document will provide proof of your preferences to health care providers, and it will certify that your selected representative has the authority to make choices for you when you are not able.
When to use a Florida Living Will:
- You want to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions for you, just in case you're ever unable to.
- You want to let everyone, from your doctor to your family, know what you want with end-of-life care.
How do I get my Florida Living Will reviewed?
If you already have a Florida 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.
Florida Living Will FAQs
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How do I write a Living Will in Florida?
It's very simple to set forth your medical preferences with a free Florida Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make your Living Will - Answer a few simple questions,, and we will do the rest
- Send or share it - Review your wishes with your healthcare agent or get legal help
- Sign it and make it legal - Optional or not, witnesses/notarization are a best practice
This route will often be much less expensive than working with a conventional provider. If needed, you can fill out this Living Will on behalf of your spouse or another family member, and then help them sign it after you've drafted it. Please note that for this document to be valid, the principal must be mentally competent at the time of signing. If the principal is already incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions, a court-appointed conservatorship may be required. When managing such a situation, it's best to speak with an Legal Pro.
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Who should write a Living Will?
Anyone who is over 18 years old should have a Living Will in place. Even though it can be tough to acknowledge, a time may come when you aren't able to make medical decisions on your own. Common circumstances where it would be useful to make or update your Living Will include:
- You plan to undergo a medical procedure that requires anesthesia
- You are getting older or have declining health
- You've been given a terminal diagnosis
- You are planning to move into an adult care facility
Whether your Florida Living Will has been generated as part of a long-term plan or produced as a result of a change in your health, witnesses and/or notarization will often help to protect your document if a third party doubts its legitimacy.
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Do I need to work with a lawyer to review my Living Will in Florida?
It’s a good idea to have important documents like your Florida 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 Florida 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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What might it normally cost to make a Living Will in Florida?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida?
The guidelines and restrictions governing Living Wills are different in each state; however, in Florida, your document must be signed by two witnesses. Only one of your witnesses may be your spouse or another relative. As a basic standard, witnesses should be at least 18 years old, and none of them should also be your agent.
