California Living Will

Although each state is slightly different most states state that in the event that a patient is incompetent or comatose their medical wishes must still be honored, provided that their is some knowledge of the patients whishes before they lost their ability to communicate. Most states require "clear and convincing evidence." The easiest way to provide this evidence and make sure that your medical whishes are fulfilled is to have a living will. In some states, such as New York, spoken word is not enough evidence, New York courts stipulate that a patient must make their wishes known in some form of unequivocal documentation. Many people provide this documentation in the form of a living will.