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Living Will Declaration Form - South Dakota
A South Dakota Living Will - sometimes confused with an Advance Directive - is crucial for patients looking for more control over the medical treatment they would want in the event of incapacitation. When a person falls seriously ill with no hope or recovery, arguments concerning artificial life support or certain treatments can arise amongst their family when trying to decide on an outcome. Download the Living Will Declaration prepared by the State Bar of South Dakota through the link below.
With a signed and legal will with all wishes clearly stated, the patient can make pre-plan all procedures regarding palliative care, life support, and life-sustaining treatment. The paperwork should be given careful thought and be talked about with the patient's family, physician, and health care providers since they will be tasked with implementing the specified wishes and procedures.
A South Dakota Living Will is defined by § 34-12D-1 and regulated by Chapter 34-12D of South Dakota Codified Laws . The document is not valid if the patient is pregnant and must be signed before two (2) witnesses.
What Is a South Dakota Living Will?
A Living Will is a legal document that specifies the type of medical care that an individual does or does not want in the event if they are unable to communicate their wishes. Living Wills come into play only when one faces a life-threatening condition and is unable to assert their specific desires regarding treatment.
In the case when an individual suffering from a terminal illness or with a life-threatening injury falls unconscious, hospitals and doctors must refer to their will to determine whether or not the patient wanted life-sustaining treatment, such as tube feeding or assisted breathing.
An individual can print a will to pre-organize their health care in the future situation, to prevent major arguments between family members, to control any necessary medical treatments and procedures and to reduce potential extra medical bills.
How to Make a Living Will in South Dakota?
A basic Living Will can be completed without a lawyer or an attorney. In order to create a will in South Dakota, an individual must be competent, be wanting to complete all paperwork voluntarily and sign the document.
A legal Living Will can be either very broad or very specific in nature according to the wishes of the patient. It is basically the patient's declaration - a written statement of what they want to occur in the event of a serious accident or illness. It is primarily directed to the medical personnel and focuses on the type of care the patient wishes to have or wishes not to have, under situations of terminal illness or incapacitation.
Download Living Will Declaration Form - South Dakota
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