In California, you do not have to go to a lawyer to complete a
legal Advance Healthcare Directive. In our beautiful state, all you
need to do to make your end-of-life wishes known is to write them
down, date, sign, and have the document properly witnessed. Probate
law does however recommend that if
”
the principal wishes to restrict those who could potentially
petition the court regarding your decisions
”
– you should by all means see an attorney.
Editor,
In California, you do not have to go to a lawyer to complete a legal Advance Healthcare Directive. In our beautiful state, all you need to do to make your end-of-life wishes known is to write them down, date, sign, and have the document properly witnessed. Probate law does however recommend that if “the principal wishes to restrict those who could potentially petition the court regarding your decisions” – you should by all means see an attorney.
There are many free forms available to choose from … forms that the state of California accepts as legally binding. Some of those forms can even be downloaded or completed on-line. All one has to do is fill in the blanks, print it out, have it properly witnessed and an important personal document has just been put in place.
From my own personal experiences as a hospice volunteer, watching three family members die without any verbal or written directives, and from my certification training with Coda Alliance – I am convinced that an Advance Healthcare Directive is a gift you give your family!
I will be facilitating four free workshops at the Gilroy Library every Saturday in April (11am to 12:30pm). Each workshop will explain the different components of a directive and introduce a variety of California approved forms. For those who feel that their family would support their written instructions – everything they need to complete their directive will be supplied. All are welcome to attend.
Bonnie Evans, Gilroy
