Florida Statute 765.516
“Donor amendment or revocation of anatomical gift”
What it means
Nobody else can undo a donor's gift — so the statute makes sure the donor can, seven ways: a signed statement delivered to the donee (two adult witnesses, at least one disinterested); an oral statement before two people, one not a family member, communicated to the family, attorney, or donee; a statement during terminal illness to the primary physician; a signed document found on or about the donor's person; removal of the donor's name from the donor registry; a later-executed document that amends or revokes, expressly or by inconsistency; or destroying or canceling the gift document with intent to revoke.
The oral route has a deadline: it works only if the procurement side has actual notice before an incision or invasive procedure begins. A gift made by will can also be undone the way wills are.
- Seven routes to amend or revoke — and they belong to the donor alone.
- Signed statement: two adult witnesses, at least one disinterested, delivered to the donee.
- Oral statement: two persons, one not a family member — effective only with actual notice before any incision or invasive procedure begins.
- Removing your name from the registry, a later inconsistent document, or destroying the gift document with intent to revoke all work.
- A gift made by will may also be revoked the way wills are amended or revoked.
How it plays out
Changed minds are common; recorded changes of mind are not. The revocation routes exist so that no lawyer is required — a hospital-room oral statement counts — but the oral route dies at the incision, so timing is everything. When a client tells us their donor decision has changed, we do three things the same week: update or remove the registry entry, execute a short signed statement, and destroy the superseded document. A revocation nobody was told about protects nothing.