Advance Directive (Living Will)

Every adult with mental capacity has the right to agree to or refuse medical treatment. To make your advance wishes clear you can use a living will. Living wills can include general statements about your wishes, which aren’t legally binding, and specific refusals of treatment called ‘advanced decisions’ or ‘advance directives’.

General written statements

A general written statement (sometimes called an ‘advance statement’) can set out which treatments you feel you would or wouldn’t like to receive should you lose mental capacity in the future.

Advance statements aren’t legally binding, but health professionals do have to take them into account when deciding on a course of action. Family and friends can also use them as evidence of your wishes.

A general written statement (sometimes called an ‘advance statement’) can set out which treatments.

You could also make your views known verbally, for example, when discussing treatment with a health care professional, but having it written down may make things clearer for everyone.

What a statement might include

Your statement could include:

treatment you would be happy to have, and in what circumstances.
treatment you would want, no matter how ill you are.
treatment you would prefer not to have, and in what circumstances.
someone you would like to be
consulted about your treatment at the time a decision needs to be made.

It can also include a specific refusal of treatment, which has a different legal status.

If writing an advance statement, bear in mind that new drugs or treatments may be introduced in the future. So you could, for example, state that you would prefer not to receive certain current treatments but would allow for new treatments.

Living wills and mental capacity

You can still make a living will if you’re diagnosed with a mental illness, as long as you can show that you understand the implications of what you’re doing. You need to be competent to make the decision in question, not necessarily to make other decisions.

It’s best to put your wishes in writing and explain:

why you’ve made your decision about how you do or don’t want to be treated.
what you understand about the treatment you’re agreeing to or refusing.
why you’re making these decisions now.
Advance decision Click here for information about Alzheimer’s Society

Who needs to know about a living will?

It’s important that your living will is entered into your medical notes so that in an emergency it is found and acted upon. Consider sending a copy to your doctor and to any hospital which is treating you and to your nearest relatives. If your living will is verbal, make sure close relatives or friends are aware.

Changing a living will and further advice

Consider reviewing your living will on a regular basis to make sure you’re happy with it and particularly if your situation changes.

You can change or cancel it if you are able to think rationally and clearly explain what you want to happen. Ideally, put things in writing and destroy old versions

Cost

We strongly feel that most people should consider making a Living Will and as a special offer we will provide you with a Living Will for just £120 if it is made at the same time as an individual Will or Mirror Will.

If taken out separately, the price of the Living Will is £180. For more information please contact Wincham Executor & Trustee Company Limited

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wills@wincham.com

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+44 (0)3333 441 176

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Wills and Probate

It is always advisable to review your Will at least every 5 years.

Even though you may already have a Will, you should consider whether or not your personal circumstances have changed or whether any subsequent change in the law has affected the validity of your Will or the granting of Probate.

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UK Will Writing Service

An Individual Will is prepared for a single person or for spouses/partners who have different terms under their respective Wills.

A Mirror Will is actually two Wills prepared for spouses or partners who wish for identical but reciprocal terms such as leaving their assets to each other.

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Lasting Power of Attorney

An LPA is a legal document giving trusted individuals the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself.

The document is drawn up when you are able to make decisions and, once registered, becomes effective immediately and can be used at any time.

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Spanish Wills

If you think that you require a Spanish Will, it’s worth noting that all of your affairs can be dealt with in the UK with a UK Will.

Remember that a UK Will can be altered in the future if circumstances change and can be drafted to revoke all previous Wills ‘in any location’, giving you the flexibility you need.

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Make An Enquiry

Address: Wincham Executor & Trustee Company Limited
Wincham House
Greenfield Farm Trading Estate
Congleton
Cheshire, England
CW12 4TR
Phone: +44 (0)3333 441 176
Email: wills@wincham.com

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