Document end-of-life preferences in Florida: Florida Living Will
What is a Florida Living Will?
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.
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 a lawyer .
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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?
Making a Living Will is generally easy to do; however, you or your agent might still have questions. Having someone review your document can take longer than you would expect if you attempt to do it alone. An easier approach worth consideration is to go through Rocket Lawyer attorney services. Rocket Lawyer Premium members are able to request guidance from an experienced lawyer or pose other legal questions. As always, you can Live Confidently® knowing that Rocket Lawyer is here by your side.
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What might it normally cost to make a Living Will in Florida?
The fees associated with hiring a legal provider to draft a Living Will might add up to between two hundred and one thousand dollars, depending on where you are. Different from many other Living Will template providers that you may encounter, Rocket Lawyer provides members up to a 40% discount when hiring a lawyer, so an Rocket Lawyer network attorney can assess the situation and take action if you ever require help.
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Is anything else required after making a Florida Living Will?
With a membership, you may edit it, save it in Word or PDF format, and print it out. In order to turn the Florida Living Will into a legally binding document, you need to sign it. Your agent(s), care providers, and other impacted parties should receive copies of the final document.
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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.
