Document end-of-life preferences in Washington: Washington Living Will
What is a Washington Living Will?
The individual making a Living Will is called the "principal," while the individuals or organizations obtaining authority to carry out the principal's wishes are called "agents." Suited for Washington residents, this Living Will is made for use in Clark County, Snohomish County, Spokane County, and in every other part of the state. Any Washington Living Will form from Rocket Lawyer can be edited to address your specific situation. Creating this essential legal document provides proof of your preferences to healthcare providers, and it will certify that your chosen agents have the authority to act in your interest when you are not able.
When to use a Washington Living Will:
- You want to specify your wishes so that it is more likely they will be carried out.
- You are facing the possibility of surgery or a hospitalization.
- You have declining health.
- You have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
Washington Living Will FAQs
-
How do I write a Living Will in Washington?
It is very simple to document your medical wishes using a free Washington Living Will template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make your Living Will - Answer a few basic questions, and we will do the rest
- Send and share - Review your wishes with your healthcare agent(s) or seek legal advice
- Sign and make it legal - Required or not, witnesses and notarization are encouraged
This method is often much more affordable than working with a traditional law firm. If necessary, you may fill out this Living Will on behalf of a family member, and then have them sign it after you've drafted it. Please remember that for a Living Will to be considered legally valid, the principal must be mentally competent when they sign. If the principal is already unable to make their own decisions, a conservatorship might be required. When managing this scenario, it would be important for you to speak with a lawyer .
-
Who should write a Living Will?
Every adult ought to have a Living Will in place. While it may be tough to think about, there might come a time when you can no longer make healthcare decisions on your own. Common circumstances where it may be useful to make or update your Living Will include:
- You have been given a terminal diagnosis
- You plan to be hospitalized for a surgical procedure
- You have plans to live in an adult care facility
- You are getting older or dealing with ongoing health issues
Whether your Washington Living Will has been produced in response to a recent change in your health or as part of a long-term plan, notarization and witnesses can help to protect your document if someone challenges its credibility. Please note that in Washington, your Living Will is not considered valid during pregnancy.
-
Do I need to work with an attorney to review my Living Will in Washington?
Making a Living Will is typically easy to do, but you or your agent(s) could need advice. Locating a lawyer to review your document might take a lot of time on your own. Another approach might be via the Rocket Lawyer On Call® network of attorneys. Rocket Lawyer members are able to request a document review from an experienced lawyer or pose additional questions. As always, you can live confidently with Rocket Lawyer by your side.
-
What might it usually cost for a lawyer to help me make a Living Will in Washington?
The fees associated with working with a lawyer to write a Living Will might total between $200 and $1,000, depending on where you are. Rocket Lawyer can offer much more protection than other Living Will template websites that you may find elsewhere. As a Rocket Lawyer member, you can get up to a 40% discount when hiring an attorney.
-
Am I required to do anything else after making a Washington Living Will?
Alongside each Washington Living Will form, there is a set of tips for what comes next after your document is completed. With a Premium membership, you may make edits, print it, or sign it. Finally, you will need to send a copy of the fully signed document to your agent(s), care providers, and other impacted parties.
-
Does a Living Will need to be notarized or witnessed in Washington?
The specific rules and restrictions for Living Wills are different in each state; however, in Washington, your document requires notarization or the signatures of two witnesses. The witnesses to your form shouldn't include any care providers, whether at your home, at an adult family home, or at a long-term care facility, if you live there. Your spouse and any other family members are also restricted from being witnesses. As a general rule, witnesses will need to be over 18 years old, and none of them should simultaneously be acting as your agent.
