Who typically witnesses a living will?

The correct answer is that a living will is typically witnessed by two adults without a vested interest in the person's death. This requirement helps ensure that the witnesses are impartial and can attest to the individual's intentions without any potential conflict of interest. Witnessing by individuals who do not stand to gain or lose from the individual's decisions reinforces the authenticity of the document and adds to its legal validity, as it reduces the risk of coercion or undue influence over the person's choices.

In many jurisdictions, the purpose of requiring witnesses is not only to confirm the identity of the individual creating the living will but also to ensure that the document reflects their wishes freely and voluntarily. This provision is an important safeguard within the legal framework surrounding advance directives, aimed at protecting the rights and intentions of the individual.

Witnesses who are family members or individuals with a vested interest in the person's death may have motivations that could cloud the validity of the witnessing process, which is why such arrangements are typically not allowed. Additionally, having a lawyer and a healthcare provider as witnesses may not meet legal standards in some regions, as it does not ensure the necessary impartiality that is required.