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Maine Living Wills Laws
More Information on Living Wills
| Code Section | 18-A§§5-801, et seq. Uniform Health-Care Decision Act. |
| Specific Powers, Life-Prolonging Acts | Any medical procedure or intervention administered only to prolong process of dying. May include artificially administered nutrition and hydration |
| Legal Requirements for Valid Living Will | (1) In writing and signed of sound mind and over 18; (2) signed by declarant or another at his direction; (3) witnessed by 2 people; (4) communicated to attending physician; (5) effective upon determination that principal lacks capacity (6) physician records terms of declaration and determination of terminal condition |
| Revocation of Living Will | Revocable at any time and in any manner without regard to declarant's mental or physical condition. Revocation effective upon communication to attending physician or health care provider by declarant or witness to revocation |
| Validity from State-to-State | Declaration executed in another state in compliance with laws of that state and Maine is valid |
| If Physician Unwilling to Follow Durable Power of Attorney | Attending physician or other health care provider who is unwilling shall take all reasonable steps as promptly as practicable to transfer to another physician willing to comply and provide continuing care until transfer is effected. Willful failure to transfer is Class E crime |
| Immunity for Attending Physician | Physician or other health care provider whose action is in accord with reasonable medical standards and in good faith is not subject to criminal or civil liability or discipline for unprofessional conduct |
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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