New Hampshire Living Will Declaration
What is this form?
A Living Will Declaration is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that you are unable to communicate. This form specifically states that you do not wish to have your life artificially prolonged if you have an incurable disease or a terminal condition as determined by two physicians. This form is distinct from a regular will, which manages assets after death, as it focuses on your health care preferences during a critical time in your life.
Key parts of this document
- Declaration statement regarding life-sustaining procedures.
- Conditions under which life support should be withheld or withdrawn.
- Choice about artificial nutrition and hydration.
- Signature line for the declarant and witnesses.
- Notarization requirements for legal validity.
Situations where this form applies
This form should be used when you want to ensure your medical preferences are respected in a situation where you are unable to communicate. It is particularly important in cases of terminal illness, severe injury, or conditions leading to permanent unconsciousness. Having this declaration can alleviate stress for your family and healthcare providers during critical moments.
Who needs this form
- Individuals over 18 who want to make their end-of-life health care wishes known.
- People with chronic or terminal illnesses who wish to avoid unwanted medical treatment.
- Anyone looking to relieve their loved ones from difficult medical decision-making responsibilities.
Instructions for completing this form
- Fill in the date of the declaration at the top of the form.
- Clearly print your name as the declarant.
- Specify the conditions under which you do not wish to receive life-sustaining procedures.
- Circle your preference regarding artificial nutrition and hydration and initial beside it.
- Sign the form in front of two witnesses and ensure they also sign.
- Have the document notarized to confirm authenticity and legally validate it.
Is notarization required?
Yes, this form must be notarized to be legally valid. This ensures that the signatures are authentic and that the declarant is acting freely and voluntarily. US Legal Forms offers integrated online notarization with 24/7 availability through secure video calls, making it easy to complete your Living Will Declaration without needing to travel.
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Common mistakes
- Not signing the form in front of the required witnesses.
- Failing to circle a choice regarding artificial nutrition and hydration.
- Not having the document notarized, if required by state law.
- Using outdated versions of the form.
Benefits of completing this form online
- Convenience of immediate download and editing from home.
- Access to forms drafted by licensed attorneys for legal compliance.
- Flexibility to customize the document to fit personal health care preferences.
- Secure storage and easy retrieval when needed.
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FAQ
An Advance Directive is a guide that only covers certain important health care decisions. Your wishes, expressed in an advance directive, will need to be put into medical orders when you are determined to lack capacity to make medical decisions.
What is an advance directive? An advance directive is a legal document, written before you have an incapacitating illness, that allows you to state your preferences about medical care. The State of New Hampshire recognizes two forms of advance directives: a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and a Living Will.
New Hampshire is one of only four states in the nation that require you to take an additional step after you've completed your Five Wishes. State law mandates you use a government-approved form and words to express your own wishes.
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a part of the advance directive document in which you name another person to act as your health care agent (agent) to make medical decisions for you if you lack ?capacity? to make health care decisions. It can apply in many different health treatment situations.
Five Wishes Paper is a traditional printed booklet to complete by hand. It meets requirements in nearly all states. If you live in one of only four states (New Hampshire, Kansas, Ohio, or Texas) you can still use the Five Wishes Paper but may need to take an extra step.
State laws vary concerning the appropriate documents to cover these situations. All fifty states permit you to express your wishes as to medical treatment in terminal illness or injury situations, and to appoint someone to communicate for you in the event you cannot communicate for yourself.
Living Wills are Binding Legal Documents You need to legally outline your wishes in compliance with state law. Your living will needs to cover what you wish to happen if you become terminally ill, permanently unconscious, or unable to convey your own wishes.
Just like Five Wishes, it is a type of advance directive that covers your preferences. Unlike medical power of attorney documents, Five Wishes goes beyond just medical and healthcare topics to express spiritual, emotional and personal wishes. It aims to be a more holistic way of planning for the end of life.