Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Find the Right Shape
• Method 2 of 2: Complete an Advance Life Support Order or Advance Health Care Proxy Form
• Tips
• Warnings

A life-sustaining order, also known as an Advance Health Care Order or an Advance Health Care Order, is a legal document that provides your family, doctors, and caregivers with information about what life-saving measures should be taken if a situation arises. when you are unable to express your wishes. To write such an order, follow these steps to find the appropriate form and fill it out.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Find the Right Shape

1. 1 Find your state ordinance statute. Please note that not all states have these laws. If you live in a state that does not have an advance directive law, you may want to consider arranging with a healthcare professional to make your health care decisions for you. To find the laws in your state, or to determine if your state does not have life support order laws:
   • Visit the Find Law website. A listing of the valid requirements of each state, along with a link to their statutes for Advance Health Care and Life Support Order, can be found on the Find Law website at http://estate.findlaw.com/living-will/living-wills -state-laws.html.
   • Use a search engine. If the link for your particular state is out of date, use your favorite resource to search for statute by order for your state. You can find a list of code quotes at http://law.findlaw.com/state-laws/living-wills/. Select your state, then copy and paste the information in the table next to the "Code Section" into your favorite search engine and start your search.
   • Try another search. If all else fails, use your favorite search engine to find "YOUR STATE's law"; so if you are in the state of Wisconsin, then you need to drive into the search "Wisconsin Disposal Law."
2. 2 View a sample form in the law. Many states have a disposition or provisional power of attorney statute that contains a sample or recommended form that you can use. Just copy the sample and paste it into your favorite test editor.
3. 3 Check with your state health department. If you cannot find a sample or recommended form in the law by order, request one from your local health department or your state health department. For a link to your state health department, visit the American Public Health Association website at http://www.apha.org/about/Public+Health+Links/LinksStateandLocalHealthDepartments.htm.
4. 4 Check with your state's Department of Justice (“DOJ”). If you are unable to find the recommended form in your state law or get one from the Department of Health, check with the Justice Department's waiting room. In some states, DOJ provides the entire inheritance planning and health care package to the public free of charge. To find the website of your state DOJ, visit the National Association of Attorneys General at http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php.
5. 5 Find out at a nursing home. If a person wishing to issue a life support order is eligible for hospice care, the shelter itself must provide him with the appropriate advance directive form, as well as legally required witnesses and a notary, if necessary.
6. 6 Take the form from a reputable website. If you cannot find the order form in your state or government or hospice office, you can use the form provided by a reputable company. Some places to check out include:
   • National Organization for Hospice and Palliative Care ("NOHPPU"). NOCHPU provides forms free of charge to all 50 states on its Caring Connections website at http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289.
   • DoYourOwnWill.com. This website provides free order forms for all 50 states. Visit DoYourOwnWill.com at http://www.doyourownwill.com/living-will/states.html.
   • US Legal. US Legal provides paid legal forms for a variety of purposes, including life support orders and proxies. Visit US Legal at http://www.uslegalforms.com/livingwills.
   • Rocket Lawyer. Rocket Lawyer provides free order and power of attorney forms for all 50 states. Visit Rocket Lawyer at http://www.rocketlawyer.com/documents/living-will.aspx.

Method 2 of 2: Complete an Advance Life Support Order or Advance Health Care Proxy Form

1. 1 Provide basic information. All state forms will require your full name, and many will require your address, age or date of birth, and telephone number.
2. 2 Decide what type of health care you would like to receive at the end of your life. Forms and options will vary from state to state, but choices typically include:
   • Symptomatic therapy. Symptomatic therapy means medical care that provides comfort without prolonging life. It may include pain relief or treatment for conditions that cause pain or discomfort, but only to the extent that treatment will not prolong life.
   • Nutrition and maintenance of water balance. In most states, the forms allow the public to choose whether they want to receive artificial nutrition and water balance in the body if they are unable to drink and eat on their own.
   • Life-prolonging care. Life-prolonging care may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (“CPR”), medication, or hospital treatment. Forms vary from state to state, with some not requiring it at all if you want your life to be extended as much as possible.
3. 3 Sign or check the appropriate lines or cells. Read the form carefully and then sign or check the appropriate lines and / or boxes for your end-of-life health care choice / s.
4. 4 Name a health care agent or representative. Most states allow the public to appoint a health care agent or representative to make a care decision for them if the person is unable to communicate and make their own decision. In many states, an agent or representative may be named in an order or provisional power of attorney. When referring to an agent or representative, keep in mind:
   • Your representative must be at least 18 years of age. No state will allow a minor child to make health care decisions for another person unless that person is his or her child.
   • Your agent is not required by law to act. While state laws allow the public to name proxies, health officials, and other agents, they do not require them to act if they choose not to represent the person who named them. Therefore, you should choose someone who would like to act as your agent or representative. If possible, you may wish to name an alternate agent, in case your first candidate is unwilling or unable to fulfill your wish.
   • Your representative should be ready and able to fulfill your wishes. Many states, while providing laws and forms for the public to create advance powers of attorney and directives, do not have laws requiring family members or healthcare providers to follow the instructions contained in such directives. Therefore, you need to make sure that your representative is able to put his feelings aside and follow your direction.
5. 5 Sign and date the form. Sign and date in the presence of the notary to complete the notary part and, if necessary, in the presence of the required number of witnesses who have also signed and dated. Your witnesses must not be associated with or inherit under your will or state law on inheritance without a will (laws that govern inheritance rights for those who die without a will).

Tips

• While you don't need any special forms for a life-sustaining order or prior power of attorney, most states require certain information to be provided on such a document, so it's always a good idea to find a government-issued document when making an order.

Warnings

• You should consult with a lawyer before signing any document that may affect your legal rights and obligations.