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Health care directives are also known as living wills. You may consider also completing a health care directive, which is a directive to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment in specific situations under Washington state law.

Health Care Directive ? Washington residents must have their signature on the Health Care Directive form either acknowledged by a notary public or witnessed by two people. If using witnesses, they: Must be at least 18 years of age and competent. Must watch you sign this form.

All adults 18 and older can complete an advance directive. There are two types of advance directives in Washington state: 1) a durable power of attorney for health care and 2) a health care directive. The advance directive in this booklet is a durable power of attorney for health care (DPOA-HC).

Advance directives need to be in writing. Each state has different forms and requirements for creating legal documents. Depending on where you live, a form may need to be signed by a witness or notarized. You can ask a lawyer to help you with the process, but it is generally not necessary.

The most common types of advance directives are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care (sometimes known as the medical power of attorney). There are many advance directive formats.

The document must be signed and dated by you and either notarized or witnessed by two disinterested people. The witnesses cannot be health care workers at a long-term care facility, blood relatives, or relatives by marriage.