A living will, in the real sense, is not like any other will you may sign. It seeks to give your preferences on critical matters involving your death. For example, in your living will, you may state that you want your kin to cremate your body rather than bury it.
The law states that your kin must act according to your will. However, some situations may lead to invalidation of a will.
For instance, according to find law, the law may revoke a will if it contravenes it. Also, no one should be liable for any death injury against a signee if they act according to the will. For instance, doctors may not give a patient medication or treat an injury if the patient clearly stated so in his or her living will. In this case, doctors will not be liable for any eventuality.
There are legal requirements that living wills should meet before becoming valid. First, it can only be valid if signed by an adult, someone that can make informed decisions. Also, you have to confirm the signature of the signee and two witnesses. Again, it is worth noting that the witnesses cannot be relatives to the signee.
Also, living wills are revocable at any time. For revocation, the mental state of the declarant does not matter. Besides, the dismissal can either be oral or written and signed by the declarant.
Your living will can only be valid in the state you signed it in; for example, Tennessee recognizes wills signed within the state by the residents. If a physician acts reasonably, there will be no criminal charges against him or her.
