ABSTRACT
Objective:
to know the laws regarding living wills in different countries, establishing a parallel with established in Brazil.
Method:
there was documentary analysis of domestic and foreign governmental laws, adopting the content analysis of Bardin in the material identified until 2013.
Results:
approximately fifteen countries have regulatory laws of the living will, whereas in Brazil there is only one resolution of the Federal Council of Medicine. Advance directives will or living will, nomenclature adopted in Brazil, operates in the preservation of patient autonomy.
Conclusion:
know the laws in different countries contributes, to support discussions and legal developments in Brazil, so that health professionals who work with patients, may consider the wishes of the beneficiaries.
DESCRIPTORS:
Advance directives; Living will; Legislation as topic; Terminally ill