An advance healthcare directive, also called a living will, personal directive, advance directive, medical directive or advance decision, is a legal document that describes what actions should be taken for an individual’s health if they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. An advance healthcare directive is most often implemented in the event of illness or incapacity preventing the individual from speaking up for themselves.

There are many ways to create an advance healthcare directive. While there are several online forms that can be used to create an advance healthcare directive, the best way to create an advance healthcare directive is to consult with a trusts & estates attorney. A trusts & estates attorney will be able to create an airtight advance healthcare directive that is valid and enforceable when the time comes.

In most cases, an advance healthcare directive does not need to be notarized. However, if the individual is living in multiple states or travels between states frequently, then it may be necessary to get the advance health care directive notarized in order to ensure it is easily implemented.