District Of Columbia Will Laws

District Of Columbia

Here you will find legal terms and their application by state as this can vary depending on where you live.

Reciprocity - The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another. Certain states will limit the extent to which they honor health care directives(reciprocity) from other states, meaning they will only accept them so far as they comply with their own laws. This creates a bit of a legal grey area, however, most times it doesn't become an issue.

State Law Citation and Title

DC CODE § 19-301 to 19-322

District of Columbia Code Division III, Title 19, Chapter 3 (Intestates' Estates)

State Law Statute

7-621, et seq. Natural Death Act

Specific Powers

Any medical procedure or intervention which would serve only to artificially prolong the dying process and where death will occur whether or not such procedures are utilized; does not include medication or any medical procedure necessary to alleviate pain or provide comfort care

Revocation Duration

A living will is revocable at any time by declarant without regard to declarants mental state by:

destruction of documents
written revocation signed and dated
verbal expression of intent to revoke in presence of a witness age 18 or older
the desires of a qualified patient at all times supersede the effect of the declaration

Transfer Unwilling

Physician must effect a transfer and failure to do so shall constitute unprofessional conduct

Immunity Physician

No civil, criminal, professional liability for physician who acts in good faith pursuant to reasonable medical standard and to a declaration made