Advance Decision - Free legal template
This document is an Advance Decision, also known as a Living Will, allowing an individual to refuse specific medical treatments in advance. It ensures their wishes regarding life-sustaining care, terminal illness treatments, and care for severe cognitive impairment are respected if they lose the capacity to make decisions. It includes provisions for a witness and acknowledges the role of a Health Care Power of Attorney.
ADVANCE DECISION
I, [name], born on [date of birth], residing at [address], being of sound mind, hereby make this Advance Decision to refuse medical treatment.
Statement of Intent
This document is my Advance Decision to refuse medical treatment. It represents my wishes and values and should be followed if I lack the capacity to make treatment decisions at any time in the future.
Declaration of Capacity
I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and I make this Advance Decision voluntarily, without any undue influence, and I understand the nature and consequences of refusing medical treatment.
Specific Refusals of Treatment
I refuse the following treatments under the circumstances described below:
[a] If I am in a persistent vegetative state or in a condition of irreversible unconsciousness, I refuse:
Life-sustaining treatments including mechanical ventilation, resuscitation, and artificial nutrition and hydration.
[b] If I have a terminal illness where death is imminent, I refuse:
Treatments that may prolong life but do not provide comfort or relieve pain, including blood transfusions, dialysis, and use of breathing machines.
[c] In the event of severe dementia or irreversible cognitive impairment, I refuse:
Antibiotics for life-threatening infections and other treatments that may prolong life but do not improve quality of life.
Power of Attorney
If I have appointed a Health Care Power of Attorney [or similar], their authority is to interpret and enforce this Advance Decision.
Validity and Revocation
This Advance Decision will remain effective indefinitely unless I revoke it in a written document.
Legal Protection for Health Care Providers
I understand that no healthcare provider who respects my wishes as set out in this Advance Decision will be liable for my death.
Signatures
Signed by [name]
Date:
Signature
Witness Declaration I declare that the person signing this Advance Decision:
[a] Is personally known to me and appears to be of sound mind and not under duress, fraud, or undue influence. [b] Has signed this Advance Decision in my presence.
Witness Name:
Address:
Date:
___________________________
Witness Signature
5.0 out of 5 on Google
Read reviewsAs seen in
Frequently asked questions
A template isn't binding on its own - like any contract, it becomes binding once it's properly completed and signed. Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law; review any template before you sign it.
Yes. Chat with GitLaw to edit any section, or make changes directly in the editor.
Yes, read about team plans here.
Describe what you need in the chat and GitLaw will draft it for you.
Templates in our curated library are professionally drafted for US or UK law. The wider library comes from the GitLaw community and public sources - a solid starting point, but check any template fits your situation before you rely on it.
Mostly US and UK law. Some templates use general commercial terms that work across jurisdictions, and many note which law they're written for.
It depends on the situation. Templates work well for routine business agreements. For anything involving significant money, complex IP, employment, or areas you're unsure about, it's worth getting professional advice before you sign. GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice.
Open any template in GitLaw and describe the change you want in the chat — 'make clause 4 mutual' or 'add a 30-day notice period', for example. GitLaw drafts the revised language and shows it as a suggested edit. You accept, reject, or keep editing from there.
Yes. Upload a Word, PDF, or Markdown file and GitLaw will open it in the editor. You can review, edit, or chat with GitLaw about it the same way you would with any template from the library.
Trusted by 5,000+ businesses
From template to signed, in one place
Every template opens in an editor with an AI agent alongside it.
Open
Pick a template and open it. Nothing to download, and no credit card to start.
Free to open
Edit with AI
Describe your situation in chat and the agent adapts the wording, clause by clause.
Tracked changes you can review
Send and sign
Share it for negotiation, then collect signatures without leaving GitLaw.
eSign included
Built for your legal work,
with practicing lawyers
Trained on 5,500+ clauses and specialist areas of law. Built with a standards committee of independent lawyers.
As seen in
Ready to get started?
No sales calls, no credit card. Just chat with GitLaw.
GitLaw provides templates and tools, not legal advice. Templates are a starting point, not a substitute for advice on your situation - for anything significant, speak to a qualified lawyer.