When trying to decide what state to move to most people look into the quality of life they’ll have there. For people with terminal illnesses, serious health conditions, or concerns over control of their future, though, the options and rights they’ll have surrounding death can play a role in their choice. With that in mind, Oregon and Vermont are becoming two of the most notable locations for people who want right-to-die options and laws that protect their personal choices as they near the ends of their lives.

One of the reasons these states are so popular in this area, even though other states also have right-to-die laws on the books, is that both Vermont and Oregon have removed their residency requirements. Previously, and in other states, a person wanting to use medical assistance to end their life would have to be a resident of the state for a while before that option would be available to them. In 2023, though, there were 26 patients in Vermont and 23 in Oregon who used that state’s aid-in-dying law while not being residents of the state.

Despite being able to access this option, the process is still a difficult one. It requires a person to travel to the state, which is more difficult toward the end of a serious illness, and navigate through a healthcare system they’re not familiar with. There are very strict legal requirements to access the services that come with this law, and medical assessments have to be conducted before the administration of medications to end a life can be prescribed.

The person requesting the services and anyone they bring to the state with them also need somewhere to stay while they wait for the assessment and medication approval. They can’t take the medication back to their home state and must remain physically in the state for the process. Those who are in favor of the aid-in-dying laws argue that the process should be made easier, while those who oppose the option on religious or other grounds believe it’s against the role of healthcare professionals to offer assistance to end a life.

No matter what your estate planning requirements may be, we are here for you. We will carefully listen to you to create an estate plan that meets your wishes and needs.To learn more, contact The Estate Planning & Legacy Law Center!