Document end-of-life preferences in Rhode Island: Rhode Island Living Will

It's very easy to set forth your medical wishes using a free Rhode Island Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:

1. Make the document - Provide a few details, and we will do the rest
2. Send and share - Review it with your healthcare agent or seek legal help
3. Sign it - Optional or not, notarization/witnesses are a best practice

This route, in many cases, would be much more affordable and convenient than working with a conventional lawyer. If necessary, you can start this Living Will on behalf of an elderly parent, a spouse, or another relative, and then have that person sign it after you've drafted it. Keep in mind that for a Living Will to be accepted as legally valid, the principal must be mentally competent when they sign. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a court-appointed conservatorship might be required. When facing such a scenario, it is important to talk to a lawyer .

Every adult should have a Living Will in place. Although it can be painful to think about, there will likely come a day when you are no longer able to make your own medical decisions. Common circumstances where it might be helpful to make or update your Living Will include:

• You are managing a terminal condition
• You will be expecting to undergo an in-patient procedure requiring anesthesia
• You currently live in or are preparing to move into a community care facility
• You are aging or have declining health

Whether your Rhode Island Living Will has been prepared as part of a long-term plan or made as a result of a recent change in your health, notarization and witnesses are highly encouraged for protecting this document and/or your agent if their privileges and authority are questioned. In Rhode Island, Living Wills are not valid during pregnancy, as long as the fetus could develop for a live birth.

Making a Living Will is normally simple, but you may need legal advice. Finding a legal professional to comment on your Rhode Island Living Will could be expensive. An easier and more cost-effective way to double-check your document is via the Rocket Lawyer On Call^® attorney network. With a Premium membership, you can get your documents reviewed or ask specific legal questions. As always, you can rest assured that Rocket Lawyer is here to help.

The fees associated with meeting and hiring a traditional lawyer to draft a Living Will might be between $200 and $1,000, depending on where you are. Unlike other Living Will template websites that you may encounter, Rocket Lawyer provides members up to 40% in savings when hiring a lawyer, so an attorney from our network can act on your behalf if you ever require help.

Attached to each Rhode Island Living Will form, there's a checklist of tips for what's next with regard to finalizing the document. As a Rocket Lawyer member, you will be able to make edits, print it, and sign it. Finally, make sure that your agent(s) and care providers receive a copy of the final document.

The specific rules and restrictions governing Living Wills are different by state; however, in Rhode Island, your Living Will requires the signatures of two witnesses. Witnesses shouldn't include your healthcare provider or their employees, nor should they be the owners, operators, or employees of your community care facility. Only one of the witnesses may be legally related to you (such as a spouse, adopted child, or family member) or any other heir/beneficiary. As a basic principle, witnesses should be over 18 years old, and none should also be named as your healthcare agent.