What is a 'Living Will' for the Missing?
A living will for the missing is much like a medical living will. It
is a document of directives by a person stating what they wish to be
done in specified events, such as with a medical living will, one can
state weither or not they wish to be kept alive by artificial means
until stabilized or to be left alone to possibly pass away by natural
means. The living will for the missing gives directives stating that
if the person is suddenly and unexpectedly missing from their normal
routine and responsibilites, that they wish law enforcement agencies
to immediately take action in locating them. Many, if not most, law
agencies will wait a designated number of hours before they will actually
classify an adult as officially missing. Even if family and friends
know and state that the missing person would not just disappear like
this, that it is out of character for the missing person. The living
will for the missing requests immediate action by involved agencies
and provides crucial data to help locate the missing person, such as
a current photo, DNA, body traits, body markings and so forth. The living
will designates another person as a guardian to make decisions and provide
information that could help with finding the missing. Hipaa laws being
as they are, even a missing person has privacy rights because adults
are free to come and go as they please, and those rights hinder immediate
investigation into the disappearance of the adult person. The living
will grants permission for this information to be released and acted
upon immediately, if something should happen and you or a loved one
goes missing.
We would encourage everyone to download the pdf version below of the
'Living Will for the Missing', print out, and have all family members
fill one out. If you have any trouble with this download or form, please
contact our webmaster for help.
"Living
Will for the Missing Download - Click here"
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