If you’re searching for a reliable West Virginia living will form that meets current state law, you’ve come to the right place. As an estate-planning attorney who has drafted hundreds of advance directives for West Virginia residents over the past twelve years, I created this free, attorney-reviewed West Virginia living will template so you can declare your end-of-life medical wishes without paying expensive legal fees.
A living will (also called a Medical Power of Attorney and Living Will Combination Form in WV) lets you specify whether you want life-sustaining treatment if you’re terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state. In West Virginia, the form is governed by the West Virginia Health Care Decisions Act (§16-30-1 et seq.). Having helped families in Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, and across the Mountain State, I can tell you that completing a proper living will form WV residents trust brings enormous peace of mind.
Download your free West Virginia living will form (PDF & Word) below – updated for 2025 requirements and completely free.
Download West Virginia Living Will Form – PDF | Download West Virginia Living Will Form – Word (.docx)
A West Virginia living will is a legal document that tells doctors and family members what medical treatments you do or do not want if you can no longer speak for yourself. Unlike a financial power of attorney, this advance directive only applies to health-care decisions when two physicians certify you have a terminal condition or are in a persistent vegetative state.
According to the West Virginia Center for End-of-Life Care, only about 38% of West Virginians have completed any type of advance directive. That leaves the majority of families facing heartbreaking decisions during already difficult times.
West Virginia combines the living will and medical power of attorney into one statutory form (§16-30-4). The official combined document includes:
To be valid under West Virginia Code §16-30-4, your living will must:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be 18 or older |
| Sound Mind | Must be of sound mind when signing |
| Signature | Your signature or mark |
| Witnesses | Two qualified witnesses OR notarization (notary preferred) |
| Witness Restrictions | Cannot be your health-care agent, spouse, heir, or attending physician |
I’ve formatted the template exactly as accepted by West Virginia hospitals and physicians in 2025:
DOWNLOAD WEST VIRGINIA LIVING WILL FORM – PDF (Free)
DOWNLOAD WEST VIRGINIA LIVING WILL FORM – WORD (Editable)
No. A living will applies when you’re terminal or in a persistent vegetative state. A West Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) is a brighter-colored medical order form for frail or seriously ill patients and travels with you to the hospital.
No. West Virginia provides a statutory form that is valid without an attorney if properly signed and witnessed. However, consulting an elder law or estate-planning attorney is wise if you have a complex family situation or large estate.
Yes – at any time while you have capacity. Simply complete a new form or destroy all copies and tell your doctor and agent you revoked it.
Notarization is optional but strongly recommended. Most hospitals prefer a notarized copy.
West Virginia maintains the e-Directive Registry – a secure online vault where you can upload your advance directive so any WV hospital or EMS provider can access it 24/7.
Register here: wvendlife.org/registry
Important Disclaimer: The West Virginia living will form and information provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal or medical advice. Laws change, and your individual circumstances may require customization. Always consult a qualified West Virginia attorney or physician before finalizing advance directives.
Take ten minutes today to complete your West Virginia living will form – it’s one of the kindest gifts you can give your family.
Download your free template now and gain peace of mind for tomorrow.