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The form as a whole is called ?Maryland Advance Directive: Planning for Future Health Care Decisions.? It has three parts to it: Part I, Selection of Health Care Agent; Part II, Treatment Preferences (?Living Will?); and Part III, Signature and Witnesses.

Under state law, living wills function a little differently from the wills we normally think of. Instead of bequeathing a person's property and possessions, a living will is a legally binding document that can state a person's medical treatment preferences, should they become unable to do so.

In Maryland, a valid will must be (1) in writing, (2) signed, and (3) attested and signed by two credible witnesses. It may be handwritten or typed and any two adults can be witnesses. A will does not require a notary, though a notary can be a witness. Electronic, oral, and video wills are not valid in Maryland.

Nearly any adult can be a witness. If you name a health care agent, though, that person may not be a witness. Also, one of the witnesses must be a person who would not financially benefit by your death or handle your estate. You do not need to have the form notarized.

Advance directives (like a health care proxy and living will) document future care preference and are difficult to interpret in an emergency. Advance directives are for everyone 18 years of age and older. MOLST is a set of medical orders that defines life-sustaining treatment the patient wants to receive or avoid now.

?An advance directive allows you to decide who you want to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so yourself. You can also use it to say what kinds of treatments you do or don't want, especially the treatments often used in a medical emergency or near the end of a person's life. Health Care Agent.