[fqued]

I am a lawyer in Colorado, and I deal with wills, trusts, probate, end-of-life matters.

First, a living will is a very very limited document and is out-moded. the Medical Durable Health Care Power of Attorney is a far better and broader document to use.

Second, the absence of a "living will" does NOT say that you MUST rescusitate or keep a patient alive. Here in Colorado, for instance, if there is no LW or MDHCPA, then the immediate family gets to decide care when the patient is unable to do so.

It appears that Florida has a very similar system, and in the absence of the LW or MDCPA, the husband has the right to determine treatment when the wife is unable to make those decisions.

That's the LAW! And, leaving out this particular case, is a very good system, for it keeps the medical decisions where they belong--close to home.

[TheBigB]

I still really hope that this can be stopped.

[CindyDawg]

I agree. It should be this way. It usually works fine. Families come together most of the time, even though one has the final say, and nothing is done unless they are all in agreement. I don't think we need any new laws but situations like this are horrible. I have to tell you that if it had been one of my son's, he would have been in Mexico 12 years ago, even if I went to jail. Where is the cushion for rare cases like these?