ARTICLE · 13 APRIL 2018

A Living Will And Assisted Death

Dale & Lessmann LLP

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Prior to June 2016, a person had the right to refuse medical treatment but did not have the right to seek active medical assistance in dying ("MAID").

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Prior to June 2016, a person had the right to refuse medical treatment but did not have the right to seek active medical assistance in dying ("MAID").

The right to refuse treatment can be expressed directly by the patient, by the patient's attorney for personal care, or by instructions left in a living will. A living will can be very detailed and specify the type of treatment one wishes to have or not have in the event of a certain illness, or it can just express general wishes – e.g. "that no ethically extraordinary treatment be used to prolong my life". It is meant to provide instructions to doctors and the attorneys for personal care to guide them in making medical decisions.

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