Method and apparatus for implementing a living will

• US 6,126,204 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 10/03/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William W. Arkinstall
• Original Assignee: William W. Arkinstall
• Inventors: Arkinstall, William W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Howell, Daniel W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, MONICA SMITH
• Application Number:
  US08/970,219
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 40/663, 40/665, 283/45, 283/46, 283/900, 283/75, 283/67
• US Class Current: 283/67
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/90 Medical record

Abstract

The apparatus for implementing a living will according to the applicant'"'"'s method, includes a first indicator for wearing by a testator so as to adorn the testator in a readily visible fashion, and wherein the first indicator clearly indicates and communicates by a notice the existence of a living will belonging to the testator and directs a medical attendant to a second indicator carried by the testator in a portable fixed form, for example, fixed in written form on a concealable portable member such as a planar member, for example, a flexible card or the like, for indicating on a surface thereon at least the instructive terms of the living will, wherein the second indicator in the preferred embodiment may indicate the presence and location of an original living will executed by the testator in the event that the second indicator is not the original living will executed by the testator. The method of the present invention includes the steps of: (1) providing the first indicator for wearing by a testator, and (2) providing the second indicator for carrying by the testator. The method of the present invention may advantageously include the step of providing to the testator an original living will for execution by the testator.

Claims

1. An apparatus for implementing a living will comprising:

a first indicator for wearing by a testator so as to adorn said testator with readily visible indication of the existence and location of a second indicator,

said second indicator for carrying by said testator, in a fixed form on a concealable portable member, terms and conditions of said living will.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first indicator includes a notice of the existence of a living will belonging to said testator, said notice directing a medical attendant of said second indicator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first indicator includes an icon representing said notice in symbolic form.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second indicator is an abbreviation of complete terms and conditions of said living will, and said second indicator provides the location of said complete terms and conditions of said living will.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said concealable portable member is a flexible planar member for carrying in a wallet or purse.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second indicator is a complete set of said terms and conditions of said living will reproduced in a size reduced form on said concealable portable member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said concealable portable member is a flexible planar member for carrying in a wallet or purse.

8. A method for giving notice of terms and conditions of a living will, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first indicator for readily visible wearing by a testator, wherein said first indicator indicates the existence and location of a second indicator,

(b) providing said second indicator for carrying by said testator, wherein said second indicator is in a fixed form on a concealable portable member and indicates terms and conditions of said living will.