Can my healthcare agent override my written instructions?

Generally no — your written instructions control situations they cover. Your agent makes decisions in situations not covered, or where the situation requires a judgment call your written form did not anticipate. This is why choosing an agent who understands your values matters as much as the written preferences.

Does my advance directive work in another state if I travel?

Most states honour out-of-state advance directives that were validly executed where signed, but the local form is more likely to be followed without question. If you spend significant time in two states, consider executing both states' forms.

What if I change my mind?

You can revoke or change your directive at any time, in any way that communicates your intent — verbally, in writing, by destroying the document. Replace it with an updated version and distribute new copies to your agent, your physicians, and any hospital that has the old one on file.

Should I file my directive with anyone?

Yes — give a copy to your healthcare agent and alternate, your primary physician, your hospital (if you are a regular patient), and a close family member. Keep a copy somewhere accessible at home (not in a safe-deposit box). Some states maintain a registry where you can lodge a copy.

Living Will / Advance Healthcare Directive

States your end-of-life medical treatment preferences and names a healthcare agent if you cannot speak for yourself.

Customise

Your full legal name

Date of birth

Your full address

Governing state

Healthcare agent — full name

Healthcare agent — relationship to you

Healthcare agent — phone

Healthcare agent — address

Alternate healthcare agent — full name

Alternate agent — phone

If terminally ill (death is imminent):

If permanently unconscious / persistent vegetative state:

Artificial nutrition and hydration (feeding tube / IV):

Pain management preference

Organ and tissue donation

Additional specific instructions (optional)

Signing date

City of signing

Live preview

LIVING WILL AND ADVANCE HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVE

OF

JORDAN ALEX TAYLOR

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

I, Jordan Alex Taylor (DOB June 12, 1985), of 482 Elm Street, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97214, being of sound mind, willingly and voluntarily make this Advance Healthcare Directive to declare my wishes regarding healthcare decisions and to appoint a healthcare agent in case I am unable to make those decisions myself.

PART I — APPOINTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AGENT

I appoint Sam Taylor (Sister) of 88 Pine Lane, Portland, OR 97214, phone +1 503 555 0142, as my Healthcare Agent.

If they are unavailable, unwilling, or unable to act, I appoint Casey Brooks, phone +1 503 555 0177, as my Alternate Healthcare Agent.

My Agent has authority to make any and all healthcare decisions for me, consistent with this Directive and applicable law, including consenting to or refusing treatment, accessing my medical records, choosing healthcare providers and facilities, and authorising hospice or palliative care, when my attending physician determines I am unable to make those decisions for myself.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PART II — END-OF-LIFE TREATMENT PREFERENCES

If two physicians have determined that I am in one of the conditions described below, I want my care to follow the choices indicated.

A. If I am TERMINALLY ILL and death is reasonably imminent:

   ► Comfort care only — no life-prolonging treatment

B. If I am in a PERMANENTLY UNCONSCIOUS condition (persistent vegetative state) with no reasonable expectation of recovery:

   ► Comfort care only — withdraw life-sustaining treatment

C. ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION AND HYDRATION (tube feeding, IV nutrition):

   ► Withhold or withdraw if my condition is terminal or permanently unconscious

D. PAIN MANAGEMENT:

   ► Maximum comfort — even if it may shorten life

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PART III — ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

   ► Yes — any organs and tissues that can help others

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PART IV — ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

I do not want CPR if my heart stops and there is no realistic chance of a meaningful recovery.
I prefer to die at home if possible, with hospice support.
I want my family informed of my condition before any major treatment decision.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

PART V — GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Directive remains in effect until I revoke it. I may revoke it at any time, in any manner that communicates my intent to revoke, regardless of my mental or physical condition.

2. I intend that healthcare providers, facilities, and any court rely on the most recent version of this Directive that they can locate.

3. If any provision of this Directive is deemed invalid under the laws of the State of Oregon, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

4. A copy of this Directive should be treated with the same effect as the original.

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

EXECUTION

Signed at Portland, Oregon, on this May 4, 2026.


_______________________________
Jordan Alex Taylor (Patient / Principal)


WITNESS ATTESTATION

We, the undersigned witnesses, declare that the Principal signed this Directive in our presence, that we are at least eighteen (18) years of age, that to the best of our knowledge the Principal is of sound mind and acting voluntarily, and that we are not (a) named as Healthcare Agent or Alternate, (b) the Principal's attending physician or an employee of the attending physician, or (c) entitled to any portion of the Principal's estate.


_______________________________            _______________________________
Witness 1 — printed name                    Witness 1 — signature & date


_______________________________            _______________________________
Witness 2 — printed name                    Witness 2 — signature & date


NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT (recommended; required in some states)

State of Oregon     )
                                          ) ss.
County of __________________              )

Subscribed and sworn before me on May 4, 2026 by Jordan Alex Taylor.

________________________________
Notary Public — signature & seal

My commission expires: ____________________

About this template

A living will (also called an advance healthcare directive) does two distinct jobs: it states your treatment preferences for end-of-life situations, and it appoints a healthcare agent to make decisions for you when you cannot. Every U.S. state recognises both, but most use a state-specific form, and a directive that fails the local execution rules may be ignored at the bedside even if it expresses clear wishes. The Patient Self-Determination Act requires hospitals to ask whether you have one and to follow it. The most consequential choices are usually three: whether to allow withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment when recovery is impossible, whether to provide artificial nutrition and hydration in those same situations, and how aggressive to be with pain management even if it may shorten life. Naming an agent is just as important as the written preferences — agents handle situations the form did not anticipate. Choose someone who knows you well, who lives geographically close enough to be reached, and who is willing to follow your wishes even if they personally disagree. Discuss the document in detail with the agent, the alternate, your primary physician, and your family before you need it. Lodge copies with your physician, your hospital, and your healthcare agent. Many states (Oregon, California, Washington, others) also offer a separate POLST or MOLST form for terminal patients — a doctor-signed medical order that paramedics and ER staff act on immediately, complementing this Directive.

When to use it

You want to ensure your end-of-life wishes are followed if you cannot speak for yourself.
You want to spare your family the burden of making decisions in a vacuum.
You are about to undergo major surgery or have a serious diagnosis.
You are entering a hospital, hospice, or long-term care facility.
You are over 18 — every adult should have one.

What to include

Identification of you and your healthcare agent (and alternate).
Specific preferences for terminal and permanently unconscious conditions.
Artificial nutrition and hydration preference.
Pain management preference.
Organ donation preference.
Witnesses (and notary, where required by state).

Frequently asked

No. A living will is a personal document expressing your wishes; a DNR is a medical order signed by a physician that paramedics and hospital staff follow immediately. A living will can ask for a DNR, but the actual DNR order has to be issued by a doctor based on your stated wishes. Many states use a form called POLST or MOLST that combines DNR with broader treatment orders.

⚠ Legal disclaimer. Most states have an official advance-directive form prescribed by statute. Using your state's official form is strongly preferred — this template is a generic starting point only. State law governs the witness, notary, and execution requirements; failing those requirements can render the directive unenforceable at the moment it is needed. Consult your state Department of Health, your physician, or an elder-law / estate-planning attorney before relying on this document.

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