A North Carolina living will allows an individual to express their wishes concerning end-of-life medical treatments. In the living will, the declarant (a.k.a., the “principal”) will give instructions that health care professionals will review when deciding whether to administer or withhold life-prolonging measures in specific medical scenarios. However, a living will does not address the designation of a health care agent. If the principal wishes to appoint an agent for their medical decisions, they will need to draft a Medical Power of Attorney.

Laws – Chapter 90, Article 23 (Right to Natural Death; Brain Death)

Signing Requirements (§ 90-321(c)(3) & (4)) – Two (2) Witnesses and Notary Public

Statutory Form – § 90-321(d1)

State Definition

Statute – § 90-321(a)(1a)

Declaration. – Any signed, witnessed, dated, and proved document meeting the requirements of subsection (c) of this section