Advance Directive Insert Data For Free

There are two main elements in an advance directivea living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. There are also other documents that can supplement your advance directive. You can choose which documents to create, depending on how you want decisions to be made.

As long as you can still make your own decisions, your advance directive won't be used. You can change or cancel it at any time. Your health care agent will only make choices for you if you can't or don't want to decide for yourself.

Whether you write a living will, choose a medical power of attorney, or both, you will need to make those decisions legally binding, in writing. There are state-specific forms for advance directives like these; you do not need an attorney to prepare them. You can download the forms you need.

Advance directives generally fall into three categories: living will, power of attorney and health care proxy.

Creating advance directives 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.

A living will and a medical power of attorney are the main types of advance directives. If you don't have a living will and a health care agent, a person other than your family member may decide what kind of care you receive. A decision may be made by a doctor who doesn't know you, or it may even be made by the courts.

Get the living will and medical power of attorney forms for your state, or use a universal form that has been approved by many states. Choose your health care agent. Fill out the forms, and have them witnessed as your state requires.