I Need Advance Directive Forms
No single document covers every decision. Start with what you need the document to do.
Match the Need to the Document
The job of the document matters more than the label.
You may need a document to:
- record medical treatment wishes
- name someone to make health care decisions
- document emergency treatment orders
The names vary by state. You may see terms like health care proxy, medical power of attorney, health care power of attorney, or living will.
Get the Current Form for the Right State
Use the state where you live. If you’re helping someone else, use their state of residence.
If you spend significant time in more than one state, check the requirements in each state. Ask whether your current directive will be recognized and whether a form from that state would make it easier to use.
Use CaringInfo’s state-by-state forms ↗ to find free state-specific advance directive forms and instructions.
Follow the instructions that come with the current state form.
Ask Whether a Medical Order Is Needed Too
If you or the person you’re helping is seriously ill or very frail, ask the health care team:
“Do we need an advance directive, a medical order, or both?”
A DNR, POLST, MOLST, MOST, or similar form is a medical order. An advance directive and a medical order do different jobs.
A medical order isn’t a form you complete on your own. It’s completed with the health care team and must be signed by a clinician who is authorized to sign it in that state.
Keep the signed order where emergency responders can find it, and bring a copy if the person goes to the hospital or moves somewhere new.
If You’re Helping Someone Else
If you’re unsure whether they can still make the decision, ask their doctor’s office or a hospital social worker:
“Can they still make this decision for themselves?”
Ask before anyone signs.
Don’t assume you can simply complete or sign the document for them.
If a decision now has to be made for someone who can’t clearly tell you what they want, use I Don’t Know What They Would Want →
If there’s disagreement about who has legal authority, use I Need Legal Help →
Follow the Signing Rules
Before signing, check the instructions for that form.
Confirm whether it requires witnesses, notarization, or anything else before it’s valid.
Don’t sign the form ahead of time if a witness or notary needs to watch you sign it.
Tell the Person You Named
If the document names someone to make decisions, make sure they know and have agreed.
For help with that conversation, use I Want to Make Sure My Wishes Are Followed →
Put It Where It Can Be Used
Give copies to the person you named and your current health care team.
Ask that the relevant documents be added to your medical record, and confirm the current copy is there.
Keep a copy where the people who may need it can find it.
If Something Changes
Update the documents when your wishes or chosen decision-maker change.
Make sure anyone who had the old version receives the current one.
If the directive exists but doesn’t seem to be followed, use I Need Help When an Advance Directive Isn’t Being Followed →
Who Can Help
- Your health care team: to discuss medical wishes and whether a medical order may be appropriate
- A hospital or hospice social worker: to help locate forms and talk through next steps
- An elder law attorney: if legal authority is disputed or the situation is complicated
If the requirements are still unclear, or the forms don’t fit the situation, see I Need Legal Help →
Helpful Resources
Free advance directive forms and instructions for each state.
Learn More
What advance directives do, the types of documents involved, and how to prepare and share them.
