Free Medical Power of Attorney

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Medical Power of Attorney

Create Your Medical Power of Attorney


Create Your Medical Power of Attorney

Appoint someone as my agent
Specify my health care preferences
Both




Your Medical Power of Attorney

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APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE AGENT

I, _________________________, of ____________________________, ______________________________, Virginia, being of sound mind, voluntarily create this Appointment of Health Care Agent.

PRIOR DESIGNATIONS
I revoke any prior Appointment of Health Care Agent.

APPOINTMENT OF HEALTH CARE AGENT
In the event that I have been determined to be incapable of providing informed consent for medical treatment and surgical and diagnostic procedures, I wish to designate as my agent for health care decisions:

Name: _______________________
Address: _______________________, _______________________, Virginia, __________
Telephone: ______________________________
Relationship: _______________________

AGENT'S AUTHORITY
My agent is authorized to act for me in all matters relating to my health care. My agent's powers include, but are not limited to:

  • Full power to consent, refuse consent, or withdraw consent to all medical, surgical, hospital and related health care treatments and procedures on my behalf, according to my wishes as stated in this document, or as stated in a separate Living Will, Health Care Directive, or other similar type document, or as expressed to my agent by me;
  • Full power to make decisions on whether to provide, withhold, or withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration on my behalf, according to my wishes as stated in this document, or as stated in a separate Living Will, Health Care Directive, or other similar type document, or as expressed to my agent by me;
  • Full power to review and receive any information regarding my physical or mental health, including medical and hospital records, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 USC 1320d ("HIPAA"), and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA");
  • Full power to sign any releases in order to obtain this information;
  • Full power to sign any documents required to request, withdraw, or refuse treatment or to be released or transferred to another medical facility.

My agent does not have authority to act for me for any other purpose unrelated to my health care. All of my agent's actions under this power during any period when I am unable to make or communicate health care decisions have the same effect on my heirs, devisees and personal representatives as if I were competent and acting for myself.

WHEN AGENT'S AUTHORITY BECOMES EFFECTIVE
The designation of my health care agent will become effective on my inability to make or communicate health care decisions as determined by my attending physician and will remain in effect until my death, or until I regain competence and revoke it.

AGENT'S OBLIGATIONS
My agent will make health care decisions for me in accordance with this document, and in accordance with any instructions I give in a Living Will, Health Care Directive or other such document (either included in this document or as a separate document), and my other wishes to the extent known to my agent. To the extent my wishes are unknown, my agent will make health care decisions for me in accordance with what my agent determines to be in my best interest. In determining my best interest, my agent will consider my personal values to the extent known to my agent.

The remainder of this document will be available when you have purchased a license.

Last Updated October 6, 2023

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What is a Living Will?

A Living Will is a document in which you can specify the medical treatments you wish to receive if you become incapacitated and can’t communicate.

As such, this document helps health care workers understand when to proceed with certain treatments when you’re:

  • In a coma
  • Terminally ill or injured
  • In the late stages of dementia
  • Near the end of life

The terms of your directive are binding once you sign the document. 

Is a Living Will the same as a Health Care Directive?

Generally, a Living Will and a Health Care Directive both dictate your health care preferences in the event of a medical emergency or incapacitation.

Some states use the terms Living Will and Health Care Directive interchangeably, while others use one term but not the other. The requirements for each document also vary by jurisdiction. LawDepot’s Living Will template will automatically customize your document to suit the laws in your selected location.

This document is sometimes called a Living Will because it only applies while you’re still alive. People also use the term Health Care Directive because it dictates which medical treatments and decisions you consent to. Other common names for this document include:

  • Advance Directive
  • Advance Medical Directive
  • Advance Decision Form
  • Personal Directive

In addition to your directives, LawDepot’s Living Will template allows you to grant decision-making powers to another person with a Medical Power of Attorney. 

What is a Medical Power of Attorney?

A Medical Power of Attorney is a document that appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf. This person becomes known as your health care agent or proxy.

If you’re incapacitated, your health care agent generally has the authority to:

  • Consent or refuse consent to treatments (per your Living Will)
  • Receive/review your medical and hospital records
  • Sign any medical releases or health care documents

A Medical Power of Attorney is also known as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. For decision-making powers over legal, financial, and other personal areas of your life, use a Power of Attorney.

Who makes decisions if there’s no Medical Power of Attorney?

Typically, laws about family, health, and safety in your jurisdiction dictate who makes health care decisions for you if you’re unable to. In some states, surrogate consent laws create a hierarchy of people (e.g., family and friends) who should be able to convey your wishes accurately.

For example, in Arizona, the first five people health care workers defer to are:

  1. Any court-appointed guardian for making health care decisions
  2. Your health care agent
  3. Your spouse
  4. Your adult child
  5. Your domestic partner (if unmarried)

Notably, your spouse and family do not automatically have this authority if you’ve designated someone else as your health care agent. In this case, health care workers will defer to this person first and foremost.

Also, family members cannot override the directives you outlined in your Living Will. Nor can they override the decisions of your health care agent—who’s legally obligated to execute your Living Will. 

Why should I create a Living Will?

Creating a Living Will gives you control when you can’t speak for yourself and saves your family from making tough choices on your behalf.

Plus, when implementing a Medical Power of Attorney, you can discuss your wishes with someone you trust before you’re incapacitated. This way, you can trust they’ll make decisions in your best interest.

Imagine your family being asked to make medical decisions on your behalf. Would they struggle to agree on the best course of action? Who might argue or anguish over making “the right choice”? Avoid this situation by writing your health care wishes down in advance.

How to write a Living Will

Use LawDepot’s printable PDF template to customize a directive that suits your needs and preferences, while also complying with the laws of your state.

Specify your desired level of care if in a terminal condition, permanent coma, or vegetative state.

Terminally ill or injured means you have an incurable condition that limits your life expectancy. A permanent coma or vegetative state is when there’s a reasonable degree of certainty that you cannot think, feel, knowingly move, or be aware of living. Often, there’s little hope for improvement.

In these cases, consider if you wish to receive:

  • Life Support: life-sustaining procedures that restore function to an organ through medical intervention, such as CPR, defibrillators, assisted breathing, or dialysis.
  • Tube feeding: continuous life support that artificially administers food and water.
  • Comfort care: treatments that manage symptoms, pain relief, and quality of life.

2. Provide personal details

Include your full name and address.

If you can become pregnant, consider whether you want to suspend your Health Care Directive if there’s a chance your fetus can survive.

3. If desired, appoint a health care agent

LawDepot’s Living Will template allows you to include a Medical Power of Attorney. With this form, you can appoint a representative and an alternate to act if your first choice is unavailable. If doing so, include their:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Relationship to you

4. Add any special instructions, if applicable

Consider any unique circumstances or preferences you may want to include. For example, if your religious beliefs prohibit certain health care treatments.

Remember that you cannot include any instructions unrelated to health care planning.

5. Sign the document

Depending on your state’s law, you’ll need to sign your Living Will in front of at least two witnesses, a notary public, or both. LawDepot’s Living Will template will also include a Statement of Witnesses if your state requires it. In this statement, your witnesses swear they meet the legal requirements to witness and sign the document.

Also, it’s best practice to keep a record of any copies you make. For instance, you, your health care agent (if applicable), and your family doctor should each keep a copy. It’s helpful to keep a record of who owns a copy so that you know who to contact whenever you update your health care preferences.

Do I need to notarize a Living Will?

Even if your state doesn't require it, you may wish to notarize your document to help ensure its validity.

A notary public:

  • Verifies the identity of the signing parties
  • Ensures the parties understand the agreement
  • Puts their official stamp or seal on the document

How do I make changes to my Living Will?

You can make changes to your Living Will by:

  • Creating a new Living Will
  • Giving the new document and its copies to the appropriate people
  • Destroying any outdated versions

It's also important to let everyone in your family know where you keep your Living Will, so they can easily find it when needed.

What’s the difference between a Last Will and a Living Will?

Unlike a Living Will, a Last Will and Testament comes into effect when you die. Rather than dictate your choices for health care, a Last Will indicates how you’d like to divide your assets.

Still, both of these documents are powerful tools for managing your life and estate.

Related documents

  • Power of Attorney: grant someone authority to act on your behalf regarding your finances, family, or property
  • Last Will and Testament: dictate your legacy and how you’d like your estate divided upon your death
  • Child Medical Consent: give a temporary guardian the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of your child
  • Medical Records Release: request that your medical records be released to you or a third party
  • End-of-Life Plan: outline your wishes for memorial services and what to do with your remains

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