Advance Planning Forms

Legal document specifying medical treatment preferences when the individual is unable to make decisions. Requirements for witnesses and notarization vary by state. Free state-specific forms available from AARP and state agencies.

Medical order directing healthcare providers not to perform CPR if the patient's heart stops or they stop breathing. Cannot be created by the patient alone; requires physician signature. Comfort care always continues.

Annual court filing accounting for the ward's finances, health status, living situation, and care plan. Required for court oversight of active guardianships.

Designates a trusted person (agent/proxy) to make healthcare decisions when the individual cannot. May be part of a combined advance directive or a separate document depending on state law.

Written declaration of preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition and hydration, and comfort care when terminally ill or permanently unconscious. Legally distinct from healthcare proxy in many states.

New York's version of POLST. The only authorized form in NY for documenting non-hospital DNR and DNI orders. Must be completed by a physician in consultation with the patient or surrogate.

State-specific variants of POLST: Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST), Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST), Clinician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (COLST). Functionally equivalent to POLST.

DNR order valid outside the hospital, directing EMS not to attempt resuscitation. Often on a distinctive colored form (e.g., orange) or accompanied by a wristband. Must be signed by physician and patient or surrogate.

Court petition to be appointed legal guardian of an incapacitated adult or minor. Requires medical evidence of incapacity. Types include general, limited, temporary, emergency, and healthcare-only guardianship.

Court petition to manage the financial affairs of an incapacitated person. May be combined with or separate from guardianship depending on state law. Requires evidence of financial incapacity or vulnerability.

Medical certification that the proposed ward lacks capacity to make healthcare and/or financial decisions. Required to support a guardianship petition. Some states require two independent physician evaluations.

Medical order (not just a directive) specifying life-sustaining treatment preferences. Actionable by EMS. For patients with serious life-limiting illness or advanced frailty. Works alongside advance directives.