If you have executed a Living Will, Health Care Power of Attorney, or Advance Health Care Directive, your health care provider may ask you for a copy. The term advance directive can describe a variety of documents. Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney documents are types of advance directives. Some states also have a document specifically called an Advance Health Care Directive. So, the term advance directive may be used to refer to any of these specific documents or all of them in general.
States differ widely on what types of advance directives they officially recognize.
Some states also require that you use a specific form for the format and content of your advance directive. If you have specific questions, contact an attorney who is familiar with your state statutes regarding advance directives. A Living Will allows you to state whether you want your life prolonged if you will soon die from a terminal illness or if you're permanently unconscious. In general, a Living Will indicates whether you want certain treatments withheld or withdrawn if they are only prolonging the dying process or if there is no hope of recovery. As a general rule, Living Wills only go into effect if you're no longer able to make your own health care decisions.