Play all audios:
MAKE SURE YOUR WISHES ARE HEARD CONCERNING END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS In France, a living will, known as directives anticipées, is a legal document that allows you to express your preferences for
medical treatment if you become seriously ill or injured and are unable to communicate your wishes. This document ensures that your voice is heard, even if you can no longer speak for
yourself. It can include decisions about life-sustaining treatment, such as whether you wish to be placed on artificial respiration, moved to intensive care, undergo surgeries, or instead
receive palliative care aimed at easing suffering, even if it may shorten your life. French doctors are legally required to respect these wishes unless they believe them to be clearly
inappropriate for your medical condition, or if the situation is so urgent that there is no time to consult the document. WHO IS CONSULTED IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE? If you do not have a living
will, medical professionals will turn to your designated personne de confiance – a trusted person you have named to make health-related decisions on your behalf. If you have not named
anyone, they will consult with your close family or friends. HOW TO WRITE A LIVING WILL IN FRANCE Creating a living will is simple but must meet certain requirements. It needs to include
your full name, date and place of birth, and be dated and signed. If you are unable to write or sign the document, it can be validated in the presence of two witnesses. An official template
is available which also provides more information and guidance to fill it in. There are two versions of the living will template: one for individuals in good health, and one for those
already living with a serious illness. While the law does not specifically require the document to be written in French, it is strongly recommended, as French healthcare professionals may
not be able to understand a version written in English, particularly in emergencies. Your GP can assist you in writing it, and it is advised to follow the official template format when
possible. WHO CAN MAKE ONE Any adult can make a living will in France however, if the person making the living will is under legal guardianship (sous tutelle), additional steps are needed.
In this case, authorisation must be obtained either from a judge or from the designated family group responsible for making decisions for the person (conseil de famille). WHERE TO STORE YOUR
LIVING WILL Once your living will is complete, it is important to let family know about it and store it somewhere easily accessible. You can give a copy to your GP, your personne de
confiance or another family member, your retirement home, or the hospital if you become hospitalised. If you use the French shared medical record system (dossier médical partagé), it is
wise to upload a copy there too. CAN IT BE CHANGED? Yes – your living will can be updated or revoked at any time. In any situation where you are gravely ill, doctors are required by law to
check for the existence of a living will before making major medical decisions.