Will Laws
Virginia
Will Laws
Virginia
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
VA CODE ยง 64.2-200 to 64.2-206Virginia Code Title 64.2, Subtitle II, Chapter 2 (Descent and Distribution)
State Law Statute
54.1-2981, et seq. Health Care Decision Act
Specific Powers
Any medical procedure, treatment, intervention, utilizing mechanical or other artificial means to sustain, restore, or supplant a vital function, or is of a nature to afford a patient no reasonable expectation of recovery from a terminal condition, and when applied to a patient in terminal condition, would serve only to prolong the dying process. Includes artificially administered hydration and nutrition and CPR by emergency medical services personnel but does not include any medication or procedure to alleviate pain or provide comfort care.
Revocation Duration
A living will is revocable at any time by:- a signed, dated revocation in writing
- the physical cancellation or destruction of the declaration
- the oral expression of intent to revoke, which is effective upon communication to attending physician
Reciprocity
A directive executed in another state is valid if in compliance with Virginia law, or the law of state where it was executed. Such directives shall be construed to be in accordance with Virginia laws.
Transfer Unwilling
If physician thinks treatment is medically or ethically inappropriate or contrary to terms of advanced directive, unwilling physician shall make reasonable effort to transfer patient to another physician.