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California Living Wills Laws
More Information on Living Wills
| Code Section | Probate §4600 et seq. Natural Death Act |
| Specific Powers, Life-Prolonging Acts | Any medical procedure or intervention that will serve only to prolong the process of dying or an irreversible coma or persistent negative state; does not include treatment to alleviate pain or provide comfort care |
| Legal Requirements for Valid Living Will | (1) Sound mind; (2) over 18; (3) signed by declarant; (4) witnessed by 2; (5) declaration shall contain substantially same information as form; (6) operative when declarant in terminal condition as certified in writing by 2 physicians; (7) not effective while patient is pregnant |
| Revocation of Living Will | Revocable at any time in any manner without regard to declarant's mental/physical condition; revocation is effective upon its communication to the attending physician |
| Validity from State-to-State | Declaration executed in another state in compliance with the laws of that state or California law is valid |
| If Physician Unwilling to Follow Living Will | Physician shall take all reasonable steps as promptly as practicable to transfer the patient to a physician who is willing to comply |
| Immunity for Attending Physician | Physician is not subject to civil, criminal, or professional liability for acting in good faith pursuant to declaration |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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