Living Will Declaration (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

Can Your Living Will Be Revoked?

You may revoke your Living Will by burning it or tearing it, by written revocation, or by oral

revocation in the presence of a witness 18 years of age who then puts the revocation in writing

for you.

When Should You Prepare a Living Will?

The best time for you to create a Living Will is right now, long before you anticipate anything

happening to you. This will ensure that if you are ever in a situation where death delaying

medical procedures may be indicated and you, if you could express your desires, would choose

not to receive them, your desires will be known to the attending physician and your family.

Will Your Living Will Be Recognized in Another State?

Most states have statutes that provide for Living Wills. Some states will accept a Living Will

established according to Illinois State Law and some will not. A problem may arise concerning

whether or not a document must be witnessed and/or notarized, as may be required in a particular

state's law. Since there are variations among state laws, it is suggested that you should have your

Living Will both witnessed and notarized.

However, Illinois law does allow for acceptance of a Living Will which has been executed in

compliance with the law of another state.

Other Things to Consider

Before executing your Living Will, you should talk to your attending physician to assure that he

or she will comply with your wishes as expressed in your Living Will. This will allow you to

locate another physician, if necessary, to carry out your wishes.

After your Living Will is signed by you and witnessed, you should send the original form to your

physician and provide copies to your lawyer and to family members or close friends who you can

rely on to act according to your interests and values.

This information is provided by the ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT ON AGING, 421 East Capitol

Avenue, Springfield, Illiois 62701, 1-800-252-8966 (Voice and TDD)

Living Will Declaration Page 3