Plan ahead
I need to document
my medical wishes.
Put your care choices in the right documents, name the person who can speak for you, and make sure the people involved can find the signed copies.
← Choose a different pathFree first step
Learn what an advance directive does
This free guide explains living wills, healthcare agents, when the documents take effect, and how to complete the current form for your state.
Read the advance directive guideKeep going
Resources for this exact question
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Understand DNR and POLST orders
Learn what these medical orders cover, who completes them, and when they may be appropriate.
Compare the documentsFind your state requirements
Advance directive names, forms, witnesses, and notarization rules vary by jurisdiction.
Choose your stateUnderstand end-of-life care options
Review the care settings and services that may shape the choices you document.
Read the care guideThese documents do different jobs.
An advance directive records care wishes. A healthcare proxy names a person to make medical decisions if you can't. A do-not-resuscitate order, often called a DNR, is a medical order completed with a healthcare professional. A DNR isn't interchangeable with an advance directive.
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Advance Directive Hub
See your state’s signing rules and work through the medical decisions before using the current form or sample linked by an official state source.
Open the Premium directive toolHow these resources are verified
The MORTL guides linked on this page show their citations. Articles show publication dates. State-specific pages show review dates and link to the statutes and official agencies behind the guidance. Read MORTL's sources and methodology.
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