{"id":373752,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maine-law\/maine-living-wills-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:51:37","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:51:37","slug":"maine-living-wills-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maine-law\/maine-living-wills-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maine Living Wills Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maine Living Wills Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A living will<\/a> is technically not a will, but a legally binding document in which a person declares how he or she would like to be treated in case of a medical emergency. The term refers to a set of written instructions that explain your wishes regarding end-of-life decisions<\/a> in the event that you are unable to communicate with your doctor. For instance, you may state in your living will that you do not want to be kept alive through artificial respirators.<\/p>\n

Advance Health Care Directives in Maine<\/h2>\n

Under Maine Law, any spoken or written decision or instruction about the health care you want in the future is called an "Advance Directive<\/a>." You can tell your family your wishes, but it is best to put it in writing.<\/p>\n

Who Can Make An Advance Directive?<\/h2>\n

Anyone living in Maine who is 18 years of age or older can complete an advance directive. If you are younger than 18 you may also be able to complete an Advance Directive under certain circumstances.<\/p>\n

What Should I Include In My Advance Directive?<\/h2>\n