Advance Directives & Legal Resources

NHPCO provides free state-specific advance directives and instructions.

An advance directive is made up of two types of legal documents that enable you to plan for and communicate your end-of-life wishes in the event that you are unable to communicate. It is recommended that you fill out both

• A living will allows you to document your wishes concerning medical treatments at the end of life.
• A medical power of attorney (or healthcare proxy) allows you to appoint a person you trust as your healthcare agent (or surrogate decision maker), who is authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf.

Things to know before you fill out an advance directive:

• While you do not need a lawyer to fill out an advance directive, your advance directive becomes legally valid as soon as you sign them in front of the required witnesses.
• The laws governing advance directives vary from state to state, so it is important to complete and sign advance directives that comply with your state's law.
• Advance directives can have different titles in different states.

Before your living will can guide medical decision-making two physicians must certify:

• You are unable to make medical decisions, 
• You are in the medical condition specified in the state's living will law (such as "terminal illness" or "permanent unconsciousness"),
• Other requirements also may apply, depending upon the state.
• Before most states medical power of attorney goes into effect a person’s physician must conclude that they are unable to make their own medical decisions.

State Listing of Advance Directives, OR

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