Do Doctors Have To Follow A Living Will?

1 min read

Physicians are ultimately responsible for the health care decisions made in the course of a patient's treatment. Physicians are not required to follow the directives of a Living Will. Often times this is because proper patient care or ethical obligations override the Living Will. Other times, the physician's personal or religious beliefs override the Living Will. In any case, the physician must tell the patient about any conflicts with the Living Will as soon as the patient provides a copy of the Living Will to the physician. If the physician cannot comply with the patient's Living Will, and the patient is not willing modify the Living Will, the physician must transfer the patient to the care of another physician.

Remember that without a Living Will, doctors have no way of knowing your wishes. Create your Living Will with Rocket Lawyer today. If you have questions, contact an estate planning attorney.

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This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.