As an estate planning attorney who has drafted hundreds of advance directives for Missouri residents over the past 12 years, I know how important it is to have a clear, legally compliant living will. A Missouri living will (also called an Advance Directive or Declaration) lets you make your end-of-life medical wishes known if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious. In this article, I’m giving you a completely free printable living will Missouri template that meets current Missouri law (RSMo §§ 459.010–459.055), plus step-by-step guidance on how to complete, sign, and store it.
Keyword-rich summary: This page provides a 100% free Missouri living will form in fillable PDF and Word format, updated for 2025, along with notary instructions and answers to the most common questions Missourians ask me every week.
A Missouri living will is a legal document that tells doctors whether you want life-sustaining treatment (such as artificial nutrition/hydration, ventilators, or CPR) if you have a terminal condition or are in a persistent vegetative state and cannot speak for yourself. Under the Missouri Life Support Declarations Act (§ 459.015), your written declaration overrides what family members or physicians might otherwise decide.
In my practice, I’ve seen too many families torn apart because Mom or Dad never put their wishes in writing. Having a properly executed free living will form Missouri residents can download today removes ambiguity and gives you peace of mind.
Click the button below to instantly download my attorney-reviewed Missouri living will template in both PDF and Word formats. No email opt-in required.
Download Free Missouri Living Will Form (PDF)
Download Free Missouri Living Will Form (Word .docx)
These templates are based directly on the statutory language in RSMo § 459.015 and include the exact wording Missouri courts and hospitals recognize.
| Requirement | Details (RSMo Chapter 459) |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Witnesses Required | 2 adult witnesses (not relatives, beneficiaries, or attending physician) |
| Notarization | Not required for the Declaration, but recommended if combining with Durable Power of Attorney |
| Oral Revocation Allowed | Yes – you can revoke anytime by destroying the document or telling your doctor |
No. Missouri keeps them separate. The living will (Declaration) covers only terminal conditions and life-sustaining treatment. A separate Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care lets your agent make all medical decisions, even non-terminal ones. Many of my clients execute both documents at the same time.
Yes, as long as it substantially follows the language in § 459.015. However, hospitals are far more comfortable with the standard form, and handwritten versions sometimes cause delays.
Generally yes (§ 459.050), but using a Missouri-specific form eliminates any question.
Simply destroy all copies and tell your physician, or execute a new declaration. No filing or court process is needed.
Missouri does not have a statewide registry (unlike some states). The best practice is to give copies to your primary doctor, local hospital, and trusted family members.
This free printable living will Missouri template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your personal situation may require additional provisions. I strongly recommend consulting a licensed Missouri attorney or using this document as a starting point before finalizing your estate plan.
Sources: Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 459 (Declarations, Life Support) – https://revisor.mo.gov; Missouri Bar Advance Directive Forms – https://mobar.org
By providing this free living will form Missouri residents can use immediately, my goal is to make basic advance directive access to every Missourian. Download your copy today, complete it this weekend, and take the single most important step you can take to protect your medical autonomy.
Need both the living will and a Missouri durable power of attorney for health care? Let me know in the comments—I’m happy to share that combined template as well.