Living will to print out: As a PDF or Wordx file

How to print out a living will. At any point in our lives, illness or accident can leave us unable to make decisions about our own medical care.

In such cases, a living will offers the opportunity to specify in advance which medical measures we wish to receive or refuse.

A living will is therefore an important part of advance care planning for every adult. In this section, we will take a closer look at living wills and explain their definition, function, and how they differ from powers of attorney.

We will also consider when a living will comes into effect and how important it is to draw up such a will in good time.

Where can I find a living will to print out?

A living will to print out can be obtained in various ways. One option is to search for a suitable template on the Internet and print it out.

It is important to check the provider's credibility and ensure that the template complies with legal requirements.

A quick and secure way to create a legally binding living will is beglaubigt.de. Here, you can have a qualified living will created digitally and download it as a PDF or Word file.

This template is created by experts and complies with the legal requirements for a living will. In addition, beglaubigt.de also offers individual consultation with specialized lawyers to ensure that the living will corresponds to your individual wishes and needs.

Another option is to have a living will drawn up by a lawyer or notary. However, this option usually involves higher costs and requires a personal appointment (see Costs of a living will).

In comparison, at beglaubigt.de it is possible to create and download a living will from the comfort of your own home.

However, it is always advisable to thoroughly research the various offers in advance and ensure

What legal aspects need to be considered when drawing up a living will?

In order to ensure that a living will is legally valid, various legal regulations and court rulings must be observed. Some important aspects are listed below:

1. Legal basis and sections relating to living wills: The legal basis for living wills in Germany is regulated by the Civil Code (BGB). Section 1901a BGB in particular regulates the legal validity of living wills. It stipulates that a living will must be written and express the wishes of the patient. In addition, the living will must specify concrete medical measures that are to be carried out or omitted in an emergency.
2. Case law and decisions of the Federal Court of Justice: In the past, there have been several legal disputes in Germany concerning the legal validity of living wills. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has clarified in several decisions that a living will is only binding if it expresses the current wishes of the patient. If the patient's wishes are not clearly formulated or do not correspond to the current circumstances, the living will cannot be implemented.

It is therefore important to carefully consider which medical measures are desired or rejected when drawing up a living will and to formulate these clearly and unambiguously.

In addition, the living will should be reviewed regularly and updated if necessary to ensure that it reflects current wishes and needs.

In summary, it can be said that the legal aspects of a living will should not be underestimated and that careful and clear wording is necessary to ensure binding implementation. In an emergency, this can help to avoid major problems. (see No living will – who decides?)

By observing the legal principles and the case law of the Federal Court of Justice, you can ensure that your living will is effective in an emergency.

What happens if there is no living will?

If a person has not drawn up a living will and is no longer able to make decisions for themselves due to illness or accident, doctors and relatives must make decisions about medical treatment. In this case, the legal provision of "fictitious consent" applies.

This means that doctors assume that the person concerned would consent to treatment that is medically appropriate and customary in a comparable situation.

If no clear decision can be made or there is disagreement among the relatives, legal disputes may arise. In such a case, legal proceedings may be initiated to reach a decision.

It is therefore advisable to draw up a living will at an early stage to ensure that your wishes are taken into account in medical decisions and that there is no uncertainty or conflict. This can now also be done digitally. For more information, see Digital living will.

A carefully drafted and legally binding living will provides security and clarity for you and your loved ones in the event of an emergency.

How do I fill out a living will to print?

When completing a living will, it is important to take your time and carefully consider your wishes and preferences in the event of serious illness or injury. The following step-by-step guide is designed to help you complete a printable living will:

1. Selecting the appropriate template: First, you should select an appropriate template that meets your needs and expectations. Various templates are available at beglaubigt.de that comply with legal requirements and can be customized.
   
2. Personal details: The living will should begin with your personal details, such as your name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. The contact details of relatives or authorized representatives can also be noted here.
   
3. Determining the scope of application: Here, you determine the medical situations to which the living will should apply. For example, decisions can be made in the event that you are in an incurable condition or in the terminal stage of an illness.
   
4. Determining medical measures: A living will can specify the specific medical measures that you want or do not want. You should carefully consider which measures are appropriate for you and which are not. Examples of measures that can be specified include life-sustaining measures such as artificial respiration, artificial nutrition and hydration, pain therapy, or palliative medicine.
5. Appointing a proxy: It may be advisable to appoint a proxy who can make decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. You can name this person in your living will and provide their contact details.
   
6. Formal requirements and legal validity: A living will must meet certain formal requirements in order to be legally valid. For example, it must be written down and signed by hand. The date is also important to ensure that the living will is up to date. It is advisable to review the living will every few years and amend it if necessary.

Recommendations and actionable advice for sensible pension planning

Meaningful advance planning involves not only drawing up a living will, but also making arrangements for other important matters, such as a power of attorney and a will. To ensure that these documents are legally valid and compliant in the event of an emergency, it is advisable to have them certified by an expert.

On the beglaubigt.de platform, users can quickly, easily, and securely create their advance care planning documents online and have them certified by a qualified notary. This not only guarantees the legal validity of the documents, but also ensures high quality and expert advice.

It is advisable to update your advance care planning documents regularly to ensure that they comply with current legal requirements and reflect your personal wishes. beglaubigt.de can also provide support in this regard.

Careful advance care planning can help ensure that you receive the medical care you want in an emergency and spare your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions.