Advanced Care Planning, Directives & Living Wills
There are many legal issues that surround End-of-Life Care. Some can be dealt with prior to death, others after the death. This section focuses on Advanced Care Planning, Advance Care Directives and Living Wills.
Articles & Resources
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A Reminder to Get Your Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will Done
An episode of ER shown in October 2006 helped to underscore the importance of getting durable power of attorney forms signed. This article looks at helpful resources available for getting started.
An episode of ER shown in October 2006 helped to underscore the importance of getting durable power of attorney forms signed. This article looks at helpful resources available for getting started.
Put It In Writing - Your Wishes, Your Advanced Directives, Your Gift
A look at the "Put It In Writing" consumer outreach by your guide. This initiative was created in 2005 by the American Hospital Association supported by the Society of Hospital Medicine to teach the public about the importance of Advance Care Planning.
A look at the "Put It In Writing" consumer outreach by your guide. This initiative was created in 2005 by the American Hospital Association supported by the Society of Hospital Medicine to teach the public about the importance of Advance Care Planning.
Advanced Care Directives from ADAM Health Center Encyclopedia
This page provides a starting point in figuring out the differences between Advanced Care Directives, Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney. Information is taken from the ADAM Health Center Encyclopedia.
This page provides a starting point in figuring out the differences between Advanced Care Directives, Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney. Information is taken from the ADAM Health Center Encyclopedia.
(PDF File) Do I Need a Will?
From the State Bar of California an informative 12 page downloadable brochure created to answer the question, "Do I Need a Will?" and provide information to get the legal facts of life.
From the State Bar of California an informative 12 page downloadable brochure created to answer the question, "Do I Need a Will?" and provide information to get the legal facts of life.
(PDF File) Put it in Writing Brochure
A helpful 10-page Downloadable PDF File that encourages people to explore their preferences for care at the end of life.
A helpful 10-page Downloadable PDF File that encourages people to explore their preferences for care at the end of life.
(PDF File) Put it in Writing - Wallet Card
This downloadable card can be filled in and carried in the wallet as an alert to healthcare workers that you have talked to your family about advance directives and has the contact names and numbers. Print it on heavy paper and laminate it.
This downloadable card can be filled in and carried in the wallet as an alert to healthcare workers that you have talked to your family about advance directives and has the contact names and numbers. Print it on heavy paper and laminate it.
Your Life, Your Terms Video - Putting Your Wishes in Writing
A public service announcement viewable online that describes the importance of putting your wishes in writing.
A public service announcement viewable online that describes the importance of putting your wishes in writing.
When to Write a Will
A legal expert in the U.K. offers some insights as to when a person should consider writing a will.
A legal expert in the U.K. offers some insights as to when a person should consider writing a will.
(PDF File) Online Will Form - Example from California
California law provides for a "fill-in-the-blanks" will form. The online will form is designed for single, married or divorced people with relatively small estates. The simple Statuary Will form can be used as a resource to provide basic information about what to include in a Will.
California law provides for a "fill-in-the-blanks" will form. The online will form is designed for single, married or divorced people with relatively small estates. The simple Statuary Will form can be used as a resource to provide basic information about what to include in a Will.
Preparing Your Will
As part of the Estate Planning Section, the AARP (Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons) provides a helpful article on "Preparing Your Will" with what you should know about preparing a will.
As part of the Estate Planning Section, the AARP (Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons) provides a helpful article on "Preparing Your Will" with what you should know about preparing a will.
Living Wills
Basic information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page is provided with an expanded definition of Living Wills.
Basic information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page is provided with an expanded definition of Living Wills.
Living Will Registry - Advance Directive Forms
This link to an online resource available for managing your advanced directives. The U.S. Living Will Registry has been storing advance directives since 1996. The Registry electronically stores the documents and makes them available to hospitals and health care providers across the country 24/7.
This link to an online resource available for managing your advanced directives. The U.S. Living Will Registry has been storing advance directives since 1996. The Registry electronically stores the documents and makes them available to hospitals and health care providers across the country 24/7.
LegalZoom Offering Custom High-Quality Wills
LegalZoom is an online legal service founded by a group of attorneys who used their expertise to simplify the law. LegalZoom makes it easy and affordable to create a custom, high-quality will. Simply answer a few questions and they will take care of the rest. There is no longer an excuse for putting off writing your will.
LegalZoom is an online legal service founded by a group of attorneys who used their expertise to simplify the law. LegalZoom makes it easy and affordable to create a custom, high-quality will. Simply answer a few questions and they will take care of the rest. There is no longer an excuse for putting off writing your will.
Partnership for Caring: Definitions of Advance Directives
An online page that is a good place to start for information about Advance Care Planning. Includes definitions and resources to help you understand Advanced Care Directives.
An online page that is a good place to start for information about Advance Care Planning. Includes definitions and resources to help you understand Advanced Care Directives.
Download Your State's Advance Directives
A State by State list of Advanced Directive documents and instructions available as PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Resource provided by Caring Connections.
A State by State list of Advanced Directive documents and instructions available as PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Resource provided by Caring Connections.
Advanced Directive Listings by State
From the Wall Street Journal comes a list of Advance Directives by State. This page provides links to resources on advanced directives by State as well as a selection of the laws and regulations in various states regarding advance medical directives.
From the Wall Street Journal comes a list of Advance Directives by State. This page provides links to resources on advanced directives by State as well as a selection of the laws and regulations in various states regarding advance medical directives.
National Cancer Institute: Advance Directives
An online fact sheet from the National Cancer Institute designed to help people understand the medical, legal, and personal choices they may face in the future.
An online fact sheet from the National Cancer Institute designed to help people understand the medical, legal, and personal choices they may face in the future.
Power-of-Attorney
An entire page of information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page that helps to answer questions on Power-of-Attorney.
An entire page of information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page that helps to answer questions on Power-of-Attorney.
Health Care Proxy
Basic information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page is provided on health care proxy sometimes called a health care surrogate or durable medical power of attorney.
Basic information from the American Bar Association's Estate Planning FAQ's page is provided on health care proxy sometimes called a health care surrogate or durable medical power of attorney.
Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advanced Planning
From the American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging comes their Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advanced Planning. The 10 part Tool Kit consists of pdf files that contain a variety of self-help worksheets, suggestions and resources to help people discover, clarify and communicate what is important in the face of serious illness.
From the American Bar Association's Commission on Law and Aging comes their Consumer's Tool Kit for Health Care Advanced Planning. The 10 part Tool Kit consists of pdf files that contain a variety of self-help worksheets, suggestions and resources to help people discover, clarify and communicate what is important in the face of serious illness.
(PDF File) Making Medical Decisions for a Loved One at the End of Life
From the American College of Physicians’ Patient Education and Caring End-of-Life Series (PEACE) comes a printable PDF File on Making Medical Decisions for a Loved One at the End of Life. This 2 page brochure provides brief information what a person needs to know if making medical decisions for a loved one including living wills and durable powers of attorney.
From the American College of Physicians’ Patient Education and Caring End-of-Life Series (PEACE) comes a printable PDF File on Making Medical Decisions for a Loved One at the End of Life. This 2 page brochure provides brief information what a person needs to know if making medical decisions for a loved one including living wills and durable powers of attorney.