Create a living will

You should discuss a living will with people you trust. These can be relatives, friends or medical staff.

Your living will is only effective if you have drawn it up in writing and signed it in your own hand by

• By signing your name or
• a notarised signature.

You are not required to have your signature notarised or your living will notarised.

You should formulate the living will as clearly and specifically as possible and date it. You should also name trusted persons who should also sign the advance directive.
They will later be the contact persons for carers or authorised representatives and medical staff.
In a "health care proxy", you can authorise your trusted person to represent you in health matters and to enforce your wishes as set out in your living will.

A living will should be stored in such a way that your doctors, authorised representative, carer or guardian in particular can find out about the existence and storage location of a living will as quickly and easily as possible.
For this purpose, it may be useful to carry a note with you stating where the living will is kept. If you have authorised a trusted person, they should also be informed.
You can also deposit your living will in the Central Register of Advance Directives of the Federal Chamber of Notaries.
This will ensure that the courts are informed of your living will.

If you are admitted to hospital, you or a person you trust should draw attention to the living will. If possible, a copy should be placed in the patient's medical file.

Tip: You should confirm the validity of the advance directive every one to two years by signing it.