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Louisiana Living Will

A Louisiana Living Will is a legal document that outlines your preferences related to health care, such as your request for or refusal of a medical treatment or procedure, in addition to the optional naming of a chosen decision maker or "agent."

The person making a Living Will is known as the "principal," while the person or entity receiving permission to carry out the principal's wishes is known as the "agent." Suited for residents of Louisiana, this free Living Will is made for use in Orleans Parish County, East Baton Rouge Parish County, Jefferson Parish County, and in every other part of the state. Any Louisiana Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be edited for your specific circumstances. Making this essential document provides verification of your preferences to healthcare institutions, and it will certify that your selected agent has been given the authority to act in your interest when you are not able.

It's fast and simple to record your medical wishes using a free Louisiana Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:

1. Make your Living Will - Provide a few basic details, and we will do the rest
2. Send or share - Discuss it with your healthcare agent(s) or seek legal help
3. Sign it - Optional or not, witnesses/notarization are encouraged

This method, in most cases, will end up being notably less expensive than finding and hiring a conventional lawyer. If needed, you may prepare this Living Will on behalf of your spouse or another relative, and then help them sign when ready. Please keep in mind that for this document to be valid, the principal must be mentally competent at the time of signing. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a conservatorship generally will be necessary. When dealing with this situation, it's a good idea for you to speak with a lawyer.

Every person over 18 ought to have a Living Will. Even though it may be difficult to think about, there will likely come a time when you are not able to make your own medical decisions. Here are a few common circumstances where it can be helpful to make or update your Living Will:

• You are aging or have declining health
• You are planning to live in a community care facility
• You plan to be hospitalized for a medical procedure
• You are currently managing a terminal condition

Regardless of whether this Louisiana Living Will is being created as a result of a change in your health or as part of a forward-looking plan, notarization and/or witnesses will often help to protect your agent if their privileges and authority are challenged by a third party.

Making a Living Will is usually simple to do, but you or your agent might need legal advice. The answer can depend on whom you reach out to, but often some lawyers will not even agree to review documents that they didn't write. A better approach to consider is to get help via attorney services at Rocket Lawyer. If you sign up for a Premium membership, you will be able to request feedback from an experienced attorney or ask other legal questions related to your Living Will. We are here to support you.

The fees associated with hiring and working with a conventional legal provider to draft a Living Will could total anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on where you are located. When using Rocket Lawyer, you are not just filling out a Living Will template. If you ever need support from a lawyer, your Premium membership offers up to 40% in savings when you hire an attorney from our On Call network.

After making a customized Living Will form on Rocket Lawyer, you will be able to get to it wherever and whenever you choose. With a Premium membership, you can edit it, print it out, and sign it. Your Louisiana Living Will form comes with a checklist of instructions for what comes next after the document is completed. You will need to provide a copy of your signed document to your agent(s) and care providers. Optionally, your Living Will can be filed with the Lousiana End of Life Registry, if you choose.

The rules and restrictions for Living Wills vary by state; however, in Louisiana, your Living Will requires two witnesses. As a general rule, your witnesses should be at least 18 years old, and none should simultaneously be designated as your healthcare agent.

See legal references for a Living Will in Louisiana: RS 40:1151.4