Do-it-Yourself Advance Directives
- 1). Get a copy of your state's living will form. They are available at any health department or hospital. Many states make the forms available online free of charge.
- 2). Look over the options available in your state. Decide what, if any, life-sustaining measures you wish the doctor to use. Fill out the form to represent your wishes. There are a wide range of choices, including do not resuscitate orders, life-sustaining treatment and pain management.
- 3). Discuss your decision with your physician, family, spouse or partner. Make sure that all of the important people in your life know your desires.
- 4). Sign the form in front of witnesses. Ask the witnesses to sign if required.
- 5). Store the advance directive in a safe place. Do not store the form in a safety deposit box in a bank. In most states, only the owner of the box has access. That means that if you are incapacitated, no one else has access to your wishes.