Real examples of revoking a living will: 3 practical examples

Let’s skip the theory and go straight into everyday stories. These three core scenarios are some of the best examples of revoking a living will: 3 practical examples that show how the law often works in practice.

Example 1: Sarah physically destroys her old living will

Sarah is 62, living in Ohio, and wrote a living will 10 years ago. Back then, she wanted no life‑support at all if she was seriously ill. Since then, she’s watched a close friend recover from a serious stroke thanks to aggressive treatment. Her views have shifted: she still doesn’t want to be kept alive indefinitely, but she’s more open to short‑term life support.

One afternoon, she pulls out her old living will, reads it, and realizes it no longer reflects her values. She:

• Takes the original, signs and dates a short note saying “I revoke this living will,”
• Tears the document in half in front of her spouse and adult daughter,
• Tells them clearly, “This is no longer my decision document.”

In many U.S. states, physically destroying the document with the intent to revoke it is a valid example of revoking a living will. Some statutes say that burning, tearing, or otherwise canceling the document counts as revocation if you do it yourself—or direct someone else to do it in your presence.

Sarah then meets with her doctor and attorney. She signs a new living will that better reflects her current wishes. The new document clearly states that it revokes any prior directives. This combination—destroying the old one, plus executing a new one—is one of the clearest examples of revoking a living will in a way that avoids confusion later.

Tip: Laws vary by state and country. For U.S. readers, many state forms and explanations are linked from MedlinePlus (NIH): https://medlineplus.gov/advancedirectives.html

Example 2: David signs a new directive that overrides the old one

David, 48, from California, filled out a living will in his early 30s using a generic online form. It was vague, didn’t mention newer treatments, and didn’t line up with California’s current statutory form.

Over the years, he developed a chronic heart condition. After talking with his cardiologist, he decides he does want CPR and temporary ventilation if there’s a reasonable chance of recovery, but he doesn’t want long‑term feeding tubes.

Instead of hunting down and destroying every copy of his old document, David:

• Completes a new California advance health care directive form,
• Clearly checks the box and signs the section that says, in plain language, this new directive revokes all prior health care directives and living wills,
• Provides copies to his primary care doctor, cardiologist, and healthcare proxy, and uploads it to his health system’s patient portal.

Here, the new document automatically revokes the old one under state law. Many statutes say that signing a later, valid advance directive that conflicts with an earlier one counts as revocation of the earlier directive to the extent of the conflict. This example of revoking a living will is common in 2024–2025, especially as people switch from older paper forms to updated, state‑specific versions.

Resource: The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging has consumer‑friendly materials on advance directives and revocation: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_aging/

Example 3: Maria verbally revokes her living will in front of medical staff

Maria, 70, is in the hospital in Texas for complications from pneumonia. Years earlier, she signed a living will refusing intubation and ventilation under any circumstances.

But now, after hearing from her pulmonologist that short‑term ventilation could likely save her life with a good chance of recovery, she changes her mind. She’s alert, oriented, and can clearly explain her reasoning.

She tells her doctor and nurse, “I revoke my living will. I want to receive all treatments that could help me recover from this pneumonia, including a ventilator if needed.” The doctor documents this in the medical record, noting the date, time, and that Maria appeared to have decision‑making capacity.

In several states, a verbal statement to medical professionals can be a valid example of revoking a living will, as long as:

• The patient has capacity at the time,
• The statement is clear and unambiguous,
• The statement is communicated to the treating physician,
• The physician documents the revocation in the chart.

This is one of the most powerful real examples of revoking a living will: 3 practical examples like Maria’s show that your wishes are not frozen in time. If you’re able to speak for yourself, your current instructions usually override older paperwork.

For medical context on life‑support decisions, see Mayo Clinic’s overview of life support and end‑of‑life care: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/end-of-life/in-depth/life-support/art-20047571

More real‑world examples of revoking a living will

The three stories above are the backbone, but real life is messy. Let’s look at more situations where people change or cancel their directives. These additional real examples of revoking a living will help you see what’s possible—and what can go wrong.

Example 4: A divorce triggers a change in decision‑maker

Alex named his spouse as his healthcare proxy in his living will and health care power of attorney. After a difficult divorce, he no longer wants his ex making medical decisions.

He doesn’t just leave the old documents in a drawer. Instead, he:

• Executes a new healthcare power of attorney naming his sister as agent,
• Signs a new living will that states, “This document revokes all prior living wills and health care directives I have signed,”
• Emails and hand‑delivers copies to his doctors and the local hospital,
• Tells his ex, in writing, that they are no longer his healthcare agent.

Some states have laws that automatically treat an ex‑spouse as if they died for purposes of healthcare decision‑making after divorce. But relying on that default is risky. Updating the paperwork is a clean, proactive example of revoking a living will and related documents.

Example 5: Updating for new medical technology in 2024–2025

Medical technology moves fast. In 2024–2025, more hospitals are using:

• Advanced ventilator modes,
• Targeted cancer therapies,
• Short‑term artificial organ support (like ECMO) as a bridge to recovery.

Jordan wrote a living will in 2010 that simply said “no machines.” After a close call with COVID‑19 in 2021 and a long talk with his primary care doctor in 2024, he realizes that some “machines” might be acceptable to him if they’re temporary and likely to help him get back to a meaningful life.

He doesn’t want a blanket refusal anymore. He wants nuance.

So he revokes his old living will by:

• Signing a new, more detailed directive that distinguishes between short‑term and long‑term life support,
• Adding specific clauses about trial periods (for example, “I consent to a 14‑day trial of mechanical ventilation if my doctors believe I have a reasonable chance of meaningful recovery”),
• Including a revocation statement that clearly cancels any prior living will.

This is a modern example of revoking a living will that reflects 2024–2025 trends: people are less likely to sign overly broad “never do anything” directives and more likely to fine‑tune their wishes as treatments evolve.

For up‑to‑date information on serious illness and treatment options, NIH and CDC are good starting points: https://www.nih.gov/ and https://www.cdc.gov/

Example 6: Revocation after a new diagnosis

Priya, 55, is diagnosed with early‑stage cancer. Her old living will was written at a time when she was healthy and assumed she’d never want aggressive treatment. After learning that her particular cancer has an excellent prognosis with chemotherapy and possibly surgery, she rethinks everything.

During an appointment, she tells her oncologist, “I think my old living will doesn’t fit anymore. I’m willing to go through aggressive treatment if it means more good years.” The oncologist encourages her to update her documents.

Priya:

• Meets with a lawyer to revoke her existing living will in writing,
• Signs a new living will that supports aggressive treatment while there is a reasonable chance of recovery,
• Sends copies to her oncology team and primary care physician.

Here, the revocation is partly verbal (to her doctor) and partly written (through a new document). This hybrid approach is another example of revoking a living will in a way that respects both legal and medical realities.

Example 7: Temporary verbal override in an emergency

In the ER, Sam arrives with a living will on file saying no CPR and no intubation. But he’s awake, oriented, and clearly says, “I know what my paper says, but I’ve changed my mind. I want full treatment. Do everything you can.”

The ER physician confirms that Sam understands the situation and the risks. The doctor documents Sam’s statement in the record and proceeds with treatment.

This is a powerful example of revoking a living will verbally. While policies vary, most U.S. healthcare systems prioritize the current, competent wishes of the patient over older paperwork. If you can speak and you understand what you’re deciding, your spoken word usually wins.

Example 8: Revocation by moving to another state and updating forms

Monica moves from New York to Florida. Her original living will was drafted under New York law and uses slightly different terminology than Florida’s statutory form.

While many states honor out‑of‑state directives, Monica wants to avoid any confusion. She:

• Executes a Florida‑specific advance directive that clearly states it revokes prior living wills,
• Brings the new form to her new primary care doctor and local hospital,
• Destroys old copies she kept at home.

This cross‑state transition is a practical example of revoking a living will to match local law and hospital practice. In 2024–2025, with people moving more frequently and using telehealth across state lines, this kind of update is becoming more common.

How revocation usually works: common methods

Now that we’ve walked through multiple real examples of revoking a living will, let’s pull the patterns together. While the details vary by jurisdiction, most laws recognize a few core ways to revoke:

• Physical destruction of the document with intent to revoke (tearing, burning, or otherwise canceling it),
• Signing a new living will or health care directive that explicitly revokes older ones,
• Executing a written revocation that you sign and date, often with witnesses or a notary,
• Making a clear verbal revocation to your physician or other healthcare provider, documented in your medical record (allowed in some states).

These are the backbone of the best examples of revoking a living will: 3 practical examples like Sarah’s, David’s, and Maria’s all fit into one or more of these categories.

Because the rules are state‑specific, it’s smart to check your own state’s statute or official form. Many state health departments or bar associations provide free templates and guidance. You don’t always need a lawyer, but if your situation is complicated—blended families, high‑conflict relatives, or serious illness—talking to an attorney or an experienced hospital social worker can help.

2024–2025 trends that affect how you revoke a living will

A few newer trends are shaping how people create and revoke living wills today:

Digital storage and patient portals

More health systems now store advance directives in electronic health records. When you revoke or replace a living will, you should:

• Upload the new document to your patient portal,
• Ask your doctor’s office to mark the old one as “revoked” or “superseded,”
• Confirm that the hospital has the latest version before scheduled surgeries.

This step turns your revocation from a private act (tearing up a paper at home) into a practical change that the medical team will actually see.

Greater focus on ongoing conversations

Organizations like the National Institute on Aging and major health systems increasingly emphasize that advance care planning is a process, not a one‑time form. That means it’s normal—and healthy—to revisit and sometimes revoke your living will over time.

In many of the best examples of revoking a living will, the key isn’t just the paperwork; it’s the conversation with:

• Your healthcare proxy or agent,
• Your close family or friends,
• Your primary care doctor or specialist.

If you revoke your living will but never tell the people who might be in the hospital with you, they may push for treatment based on old assumptions.

More nuanced views of life support

After the COVID‑19 pandemic and rapid advances in critical‑care medicine, people are more aware that “life support” isn’t all‑or‑nothing. This is driving more nuanced documents and more frequent updates.

So if your living will is older than your smartphone, there’s a good chance it doesn’t match how you think about treatment today. Using the real examples of revoking a living will: 3 practical examples above as a guide, you might decide it’s time for a refresh.

Practical steps if you’re thinking about revoking your living will

If you’re reading these examples and feeling that uncomfortable tug of “My document doesn’t fit me anymore,” here’s a simple, step‑by‑step approach:

• Review your current living will. Read it out loud. Ask yourself: “If this were used tomorrow, would I feel okay about it?”
• Talk to your doctor. Ask about your current health, likely scenarios, and what different choices would actually look like.
• Decide whether to revise or fully revoke. Sometimes a new, better‑worded directive that revokes the old one is the cleanest path.
• Follow your state’s rules. Use your state’s official form if available, and follow the witnessing or notarization requirements.
• Tell your people. Give copies of your new document to your healthcare proxy, family, and medical team. Say clearly that the old one is revoked.

These steps echo the real‑world examples of revoking a living will throughout this article. You don’t have to do everything perfectly, but you do want to be clear, consistent, and documented.

FAQs about revoking a living will

Can you give an example of revoking a living will without a lawyer?

Yes. One common example of revoking a living will without a lawyer is physically destroying the document yourself—such as tearing it up—while clearly intending to revoke it, and then telling your family and doctor what you’ve done. Many people also use state‑provided forms to create a new living will that automatically revokes the old one, all without hiring an attorney. Just make sure you follow your state’s witnessing or notarization rules.

Do I have to destroy every copy to revoke my living will?

Usually, no. Legally, revocation depends on your intent and on following your state’s rules, not on tracking down every photocopy. But from a practical standpoint, you should try to collect and replace old copies, and give the new document to your doctors and healthcare proxy. Several real examples of revoking a living will become messy when an old copy surfaces in an emergency and no one knows it’s outdated.

Can I revoke my living will verbally in the hospital?

In some states, yes—if you have decision‑making capacity and clearly communicate your wishes to your physician, who then documents it in your record. The example of Maria earlier in this article shows how that might look. However, a written update is generally safer and less likely to be misunderstood, especially if there’s family disagreement.

Does a new living will automatically cancel the old one?

Often it does, especially if the new document includes language like “I revoke all prior living wills and health care directives.” That’s why so many of the best examples of revoking a living will involve signing a new directive rather than trying to edit the old one. Still, it’s wise to destroy old copies and notify your medical team of the change.

How often should I review or revoke my living will?

Many professionals suggest reviewing your living will at key life moments—sometimes summarized as the “5 Ds”: decade (every 10 years), death of a loved one, divorce, diagnosis of a serious illness, or significant decline in health. Any of these moments might lead you to one of the examples of revoking a living will described above, whether that’s a complete revocation or just a thoughtful update.

Revoking a living will isn’t about making a mistake in the past; it’s about letting your documents grow with you. Your values, your health, and medicine itself all change over time. Your paperwork should keep up.