A Living Will
KRS 311.625 — signed, dated, and witnessed by two adults or acknowledged before a notary
Kentucky's living will directive form names a health care surrogate and records the person's wishes about life prolonging treatment and artificially provided food and water, for when they can no longer decide and have a terminal condition or are permanently unconscious.
- It is in writing, dated, and signed by the person or at their direction.
- It is witnessed by two or more adults together in the person's presence, or acknowledged before a notary or other officer who administers oaths.
- A blood relative, an heir, the attending physician, a person financially responsible for the person's care, or an employee of the facility treating them, unless serving as notary, may not be the witness or notary.
A surrogate decides only as the directive says and only while the attending physician finds the person lacks capacity to decide. Food and water given artificially are not withheld when needed for comfort or relief of pain.
Sources for this section (2)
- KRS 311.625 — Form of living will directive
- KRS 311.629 — Powers of health care surrogate
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Kentucky attorney.