Menu
A living will is an important tool in Future Planning. It is a directive to physicians that lets people state their wishes for end-of-life medical care, in case they become unable to communicate their decisions.
It takes the form of a document in which you can record your decisions as to the circumstances and types of medical treatment that you wish to refuse, in the event that you do not have the capacity to communicate the decision yourself.
A living will can not nominate someone else to make decisions on your behalf, nor can it allow you to request a particular medical treatment or to refuse basic treatment and food and water. If you are suffering from a particular medical condition, or end up in a situation that has not been specifically included in the Living Will, then it will be for the treating doctor to determine the outcome that is in your best interests.
When it comes to retaining control over medical decisions, Living Wills state your wishes in the event that you are not able to give—or refuse—consent at the time.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the concept of a Living Will does not extend to euthanasia, which is illegal. There is also very little precedence locally for people using Living Wills or for doctors adhering to them, mostly because physicians put themselves at risk of litigation if they do not do everything within their power to save a patient.
Registered Address / 35 Bombay Street, St. James, Port of Spain
T /+1(868) 267 3737
E / admin@exeqtrust.com
Disclaimer / This website and publications herein do not provide legal advice.
You have successfully registered for our Newsletter