What is a health care directive and how does it work?

A health care directive is a type of estate planning document that permits you to make decisions about your medical care in the event you are unable to make them yourself. For example, if you are terminally ill, in a coma, or otherwise unable to communicate, a health care directive will authorize someone else to make decisions on your behalf. In Washington State, health care directives have two parts: a health care power of attorney and a living will. The health care power of attorney is a document that names someone else to act as your representative (or “agent”) to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself. When you sign the document, you give this person the power to consent to or refuse medical treatment and other health care decisions. The living will is a document that outlines the kinds of medical treatments you do and do not want in certain situations. It is important to remember that the living will is only applicable when you are in situations with no potential for recovery. In Washington State, the documents must be signed in the presence of two witnesses and be notarized. They should also be given to your doctor and put in a safe place in case you are ever in a situation where the documents are needed. The decisions made in the documents must follow the laws of the state in order to be valid.

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What is a health care directive and how does it work?

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