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The two most common advance directives for health care are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care.

Types of Advance Directives The living will. Durable power of attorney for health care/Medical power of attorney. POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. Organ and tissue donation.

Advance directives include legal documentation such as a living will, power of attorney and do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. The directive documents identify who will make decisions if the patient is unable to and who will be involved in their final care.

There are three main disadvantages to using a living will: Living wills have a limited scope; Living wills rely on physician compliance; Living wills are not always given to health care providers.

Problems with Advance Directives Sometimes, people change their minds after expressing advance directives and forget to inform others. Many times, advance directives are too vague to guide clinical decisions.

Advance directives consist of (1) a living will and (2) a medical (healthcare) power of attorney. A living will describes your wishes regarding medical care. With a medical power of attorney you can appoint a person to make healthcare decisions for you in case you are unable to speak for yourself.

What about power of attorney when someone dies? You cannot apply for power of attorney after someone's death instead, the instructions of the will take precedence.If the donor dies without a will, then the estate will be divided according to the rules of intestacy, by an administrator.

The cost of setting up a living will varies from state to state, depending on whether it must be witnessed by a notary. Costs typically fall between $250-$500 to hire a lawyer to draft the living will, while forms can be self-completed for between $45 and $75.

Two witnesses and a notary are required for a living will. Medical power of attorney for health care also requires two witnesses and a notary. Declaration to physicians (living will) requires two witnesses, but is not valid if pregnant. Power of attorney for health care requires two witnesses.

A living will is a vital part of the estate plan.But your family cannot override your living will. They cannot take away your authority to make your own treatment and care plans. In fact, you always retain the right to override your own decisions.