Living Wills & Medical Powers of Attorney

Put your health care wishes in writing, in case you are ever unable to speak for yourself.

Medical issues to address in your living will and power of attorney for health care.

Find out more about living wills, medical powers of attorney, advance directives, DNR orders, and POLST orders, and when to use each.

Most states define health care to include mental health, and most health care directives cover issues of mental health.

Depending on your health and your preferences, you may want a DNR order when you’re thinking about end-of-life documents.

A POLST form helps you get the end-of-life treatment you want. However, it's not a substitute for an advance health care directive.

Find out the similarities and differences between DNR orders and POLST forms, and why neither is a substitute for a living will or advance health care directive.

Use a living will to leave instructions about your health care.

Name the best person to direct your medical care if you are unable to do so yourself.

Your health care agent is the person that you name to make treatment decisions for you if you're unable to do so. Learn who can serve as an agent in your state.

If you’re pregnant, your health care wishes may be overruled by your state law.

After you complete your health care directive, you must follow your state's rules to make it legally valid and binding.

Here's how to help an elderly loved one make a financial or medical power of attorney.

Learn about registering your living will or advance directive.

In most cases, your health care documents will be honored in other states.

In California, you must sign your advance health care directive in front of two witnesses or a notary.

Don't put off making a California advance health care directive (power of attorney and living will).

Why do you need a living will and medical power of attorney in Texas? If you become unable to direct your own medical care  

Making a Pennsylvania advance directive (health care power of attorney and living will) keeps important decisions in the hands of those you trust.

Find out what the requirements are for obtaining a prescription for life-ending medication under California’s law.

New Jersey’s death with dignity law allows terminally ill patients to request aid in dying under certain conditions.

Texas has never officially considered  adopting a death with dignity law. However, citizen groups are actively working to legalize aid in dying in Texas.