

The Principal is the only required signer. Videoĭeclaration as to Medical or Surgical Treatmentĭeclaration to Remove Life Support Systemĭeclaration Relating to Use of Life-Sustaining ProceduresĪdvance Directive for a Natural Death (“Living Will”)ĭirective to Physicians and Family (living will) The document will include whether the declarant accepts or rejects life-sustaining procedures.
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By StateĪ living will is a declaration that instructs medical staff on how to treat a person (declarant) in a terminal or incurable condition. Learn more about POLST.Signing Requirements – Must be signed in accordance with State law. The POLST form must be an original and not a copy. Having a completed POLST form helps make sure your wishes are followed by other medical professionals without delay. Your doctor has an end-of life discussion with you and translates your wishes into actual physician’s orders on the POLST form. Learn more about Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and see sample forms (PDF) Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)Ī POLST form documents what, if any, medical treatments you want to prolong your life if you are currently terminally ill.

Normally, a durable power of attorney for health care only takes effect if you become incapacitated and only lasts for as long as you are unable to communicate your own decisions. Durable Power of Attorney for Health CareĪ Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a legal document that lets you identify another person to make health care decisions for you if you become unable to communicate what you want. Please consult with your legal advisor in order to make sure that your documents meet state laws. There are many current publications and resources that contain similar information, but may not meet state laws. Note: The DSHS publication, Your Legal Right To Make Decisions About Health Care and Advance Directives in Washington State (DSHS 22-015x) is no longer available. A living will only comes into effect when you are near death. Living Wills or Health Care DirectiveĪ living will is a legal document that defines for health care professionals what type, if any, of medical treatments you want to prolong your life if an accident or undiagnosed life threatening illness occurs and you are unable to communicate your wishes. Use an internet search engine to find what you are looking for.
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Several internet sites offer free or low cost standardized forms that can be used.

AARP has designed a form to help document where to locate important documents before a crisis occurs. See the Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning from the American Bar Association to help you discover, clarify, and communicate what is important to you in the face of serious illnessĪdult children, or others concerned about a friend or relative, need to know whether these documents exist and where they are kept. Not having this discussion or not having advance directives can place an even heavier burden on those you love if the unthinkable happens.

Few people like to talk about or think about these things. All adults should have advance directives - an accident or serious illness can happen suddenly. identify an "executor" to handle property and affairs from the time of death until an estate is settled.Īdvance directives put into writing the type of medical care, or decisions, you want made if you are no longer able to communicate them yourself.identify someone else to handle the property left after death on behalf of children or others and/or.name a guardian for any minor children (or pets).A will defines who is to get the property and in what amounts. WillsĪ will is a legal document that outlines what happens to your property after you die. Many people want to work with an attorney experienced with estate planning and elder law on these issues. It is important to think through and communicate to loved ones and health care providers what you want to happen if medical decisions have to be made and you can’t communicate your wishes ( advance directives), you become incapacitated ( guardianship), or when you die ( wills).
