A Georgia Living will is a document that combines the functions of a power of attorney and a health care directive. A living will serves as a written record of an individual's healthcare wishes if he or she ever falls terminally ill or falls inro an incapacitated or vegetative state. In a living will document, the Principal (the individual who is declaring their wishes) will specifically list which treatments he does and does not consent to. In Georgia, Title 31, Chapter 32 defines and sets boundaries for all living wills created in the state. These statutes declare that a living will may cover any medical procedure or intervention that would serve to prolong the dying process for the Principal who may be in a coma, vegetative state (with no perception of regaining consciousness) or who is terminally ill. These documents may also cover feeding and hydration tubes but may not include any medication or procedure implemented to alleviate pain. Georgia law also allows this document to be revoked at any time by the Principal without regard to his or her mental state.
The first step to completing a Georgia Living will is to provide the Principal's identifying information. This information will consist of his or her first and last name, along with their gender, address, and telephone number. Next, the Advocate will be appointed. This is the individual who will ensure that the Principal's wishes are followed. His or her full name, phone number, and address should be provided so that the individual may be officially appointed. Next, the Principal will specifically detail any medical procedures, interventions, or treatments that he or she will and will not consent to. This section will cover specific instances so it is important to include every detail. Once this section has been completed and all of the Principal's wishes have been documented, he or she will then sign the document in the presence of two (2) witnesses. The two witnesses will then sign the document and it may then be made a part of the Principal's medical records.