Spouse Is Decision-Maker When Partner Is In Vegetative State, Judge Rules, Closing ‘Gap’ In State Law
The case revolved around a San Gabriel Valley man whose wife sought to remove his life support and feeding tube. The man's sister sued to gain control of the end-of-life decision from his wife.
Los Angeles Times:
Judge Rules That Spouse Has Authority To Remove Partner's Life Support If There's No Directive
Ruling in the case of a San Gabriel Valley man, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mary Thornton House said that in the event that there is no advance directive for a someone in a vegetative state, their partner can decide for them. ...The case is reminiscent of the Terri Schiavo case in Florida in which her husband sought to disconnect life support and her parents fought him for years in the courts in a highly publicized and prolonged series of legal challenges. (Winton, 3/12)