Living wills/advance directives are actually a set of documents—a living will/advance directive and a medical durable power of attorney. These documents help direct your medical care if you become incapacitated. Our living wills and advance directives services provide free documents specific to your state. We also provide a member benefit of one-on-one counseling on creating and implementing your living will/advance directive.

Your doctor should honor your living will/advance directive or refer you to one who will.

If you refuse life support, you will not be abandoned. You have the right to comfort care and pain medication.

Filling out the living will/advance directive is not enough. You should discuss your choices with your doctor and your family and make sure they agree to honor your wishes.

The living will/advance directive also allows you to name a person to direct your health care when you cannot do so. This is your "health care representative" or "attorney-in-fact" for health care.

Make sure you choose someone who will follow your instructions and insist that your wishes for end-of-life care be respected.

We also provide, free of charge, current living wills/advance directives forms for your state of residence. Paper copies are available for a nominal fee.

> To download a living will/advance directive for your state click here

> For a hospital visitation authorization form for unmarried partners click here (PDF)

> Read the New York Times article by Jane Brody on living wills: Putting Muscle Behind End Of Life Wishes.