The Iowa Living Will is a declaration related to the use of life-sustaining procedures. When someone is permanently unconscious and facing an irreversible/uncurable condition, it can be tough to determine what type of procedures they would want or not want to transpire. This could leave a burden on the family who will inevitably have to make these judgment calls for their loved one. To prevent this from happening, individuals can execute a copy of this form to clarify that they do not wish to receive any treatments that will prolong their life when death is unavoidable and recovery is not an option (these treatments do not include those that are initiated to alleviate the patient’s pain). That being said, there is an option that the declarant can select to use life-sustaining procedures only for the time it takes to harvest organs for donation purposes.
(Individuals who wish to gift organs/tissues to someone in need may register with the Iowa Donor Network.)
Laws
Statutes – Iowa Life-Sustaining Procedures (Chapter 144A)
Definition – “Declaration” means a document executed in accordance with the requirements of section 144A.3 (§ 144A.2).
Signing Requirements – Acknowledgment of Two (2) Witnesses or Notary Public (§ 144A.3)
Revocation – (§ 144A.4)
Other Versions
Iowa Legal Aid VersionDownload: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- Archdiocese of Dubuque – Should a Catholic Use Iowa’s Living Will?
- Drake Center for Health Issues – Advance Directive Guide (in Spanish/en Español)
- Health Alliance – Planning Ahead Brochure
- Iowa Legal Aid – General Information Regarding Living Wills
- Iowa State Bar Association – Advance Directives for Health Care
- Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Considering a Living Will
- UnityPoint Health – Information About Advance Directives for Iowa Residents
Related Forms (7)
- Advance Directive (Medical POA & Living Will)
- Advance Directive for Mental Health Care
- Advance Directive Wallet Cards
- Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order Form
- Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
- Organ Donation Form
- Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment – POST Form
Advance Directive (Medical POA & Living Will)
Download: Adobe PDF
Advance Directive for Mental Health Care
Download: Adobe PDF
Advance Directive Wallet Cards
Download: Adobe PDF
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: § 144A.7A
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment – POST Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: Chapter 144D