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The California Advanced Health Care Directive form serves as a crucial tool for individuals to express their medical preferences and appoint decision-makers in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes. This form allows individuals to designate a health care agent, someone they trust to make medical decisions on their behalf. Additionally, it provides a space to outline specific health care preferences, including end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatments, and organ donation wishes. By completing this directive, individuals can ensure that their values and desires regarding medical treatment are respected, even when they cannot voice them. The form is designed to be straightforward, making it accessible for everyone to understand and complete. It is important to note that this document can be updated or revoked at any time, allowing individuals to adapt their wishes as circumstances change. Understanding the components of the California Advanced Health Care Directive is essential for anyone looking to take proactive steps in managing their health care decisions.

Common Questions

What is a California Advanced Health Care Directive?

The California Advanced Health Care Directive is a legal document that allows individuals to express their wishes regarding medical treatment and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This directive combines two key components: a living will, which outlines your preferences for medical care, and a durable power of attorney for healthcare, which designates a trusted person to make decisions in line with your wishes. It ensures that your healthcare choices are respected even when you cannot communicate them yourself.

Who can create an Advanced Health Care Directive in California?

Any adult who is at least 18 years old and is of sound mind can create an Advanced Health Care Directive in California. This means you should be able to understand the nature of the document and the decisions you are making. It is important to reflect on your values and beliefs about medical treatment before drafting this directive, as it will guide your appointed agent in making decisions that align with your preferences.

How do I complete the California Advanced Health Care Directive form?

Completing the California Advanced Health Care Directive form involves a few straightforward steps. First, you will need to download the form, which is available through various resources, including healthcare providers and legal websites. Next, fill in your personal information and clearly outline your healthcare preferences. Be sure to appoint an agent who you trust to make decisions for you. After you have completed the form, it must be signed and dated in the presence of at least one witness or a notary public, depending on the method you choose. This ensures that the document is legally valid.

Can I change or revoke my Advanced Health Care Directive?

Yes, you can change or revoke your Advanced Health Care Directive at any time as long as you are of sound mind. If you decide to make changes, it is essential to complete a new directive and ensure that the old one is destroyed or clearly marked as revoked. Inform your appointed agent and any healthcare providers of the changes you have made. Keeping your directive up to date is crucial to ensure that your current wishes are respected.

What happens if I don’t have an Advanced Health Care Directive?

If you do not have an Advanced Health Care Directive and become unable to make healthcare decisions, California law will determine who can make decisions on your behalf. This could be a family member, such as a spouse or adult child, or it may involve the court appointing a conservator. Without a directive, your personal wishes may not be known, and this could lead to disagreements among family members about your care. Having a directive helps avoid confusion and ensures that your preferences are honored.

Is there a cost associated with creating an Advanced Health Care Directive?

Creating an Advanced Health Care Directive is generally free if you use the state-provided forms and complete them on your own. However, if you choose to work with an attorney for assistance or advice, there may be associated legal fees. Many healthcare organizations also offer resources and workshops to help individuals understand and complete the directive at no cost. It’s important to seek out reputable sources to ensure you have the correct information and guidance.

Preview - California Advanced Health Care Directive Form

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

 

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Probate Code - PROB

DIVISION 4.7. HEALTH CARE DECISIONS [4600 - 4806] ( Division 4.7 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. ) PART 2. UNIFORM HEALTH CARE DECISIONS ACT [4670 - 4743] ( Part 2 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. )

CHAPTER 2. Advance Health Care Directive Forms [4700 - 4701] ( Chapter 2 added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 658, Sec. 39. )

4701. The statutory advance health care directive form is as follows:

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE

(California Probate Code Section 4701)

Explanation

You have the right to give instructions about your own health care. You also have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you. This form lets you do either or both of these things. It also lets you express your wishes regarding donation of organs and the designation of your primary physician. If you use this form, you may complete or modify all or any part of it. You are free to use a different form.

Part 1 of this form is a power of attorney for health care. Part 1 lets you name another individual as agent to make health care decisions for you if you become incapable of making your own decisions or if you want someone else to make those decisions for you now even though you are still capable. You may also name an alternate agent to act for you if your first choice is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make decisions for you. (Your agent may not be an operator or employee of a community care facility or a residential care facility where you are receiving care, or your supervising health care provider or employee of the health care institution where you are receiving care, unless your agent is related to you or is a coworker.)

Unless the form you sign limits the authority of your agent, your agent may make all health care decisions for you. This form has a place for you to limit the authority of your agent. You need not limit the authority of your agent if you wish to rely on your agent for all health care decisions that may have to be made. If you choose not to limit the authority of your agent, your agent will have the right to:

(a)Consent or refuse consent to any care, treatment, service, or procedure to maintain, diagnose, or otherwise affect a physical or mental condition.

(b)Select or discharge health care providers and institutions.

(c)Approve or disapprove diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and programs of medication.

(d)Direct the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(e)Donate your organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of remains.

Part 2 of this form lets you give specific instructions about any aspect of your health care, whether or not you appoint an agent. Choices are provided for you to express your wishes regarding the provision, withholding, or withdrawal of treatment to keep you alive, as well as the provision of pain relief. Space is also provided for you to add to the choices you have made or for you to write out any additional wishes. If you are satisfied to allow your agent to determine what is best for you in making end-of-life decisions, you need not fill out Part 2 of this form.

Part 3 of this form lets you express an intention to donate your bodily organs, tissues, and parts following your death.

Part 4 of this form lets you designate a physician to have primary responsibility for your health care.

After completing this form, sign and date the form at the end. The form must be signed by two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public. Give a copy of the signed and completed form to your physician, to any other health care providers you may have, to any health care institution at which you are receiving care, and to any health care agents you have named. You should talk to the person you have named as agent to make sure that he or she understands your wishes and is willing to take the responsibility.

You have the right to revoke this advance health care directive or replace this form at any time.

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 1

POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE

(1.1) DESIGNATION OF AGENT: I designate the following individual as my agent to make health care decisions for me:

(name of individual you choose as agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

OPTIONAL: If I revoke my agent's authority or if my agent is not willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my first alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as first alternate agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

OPTIONAL: If I revoke the authority of my agent and first alternate agent or if neither is willing, able, or reasonably available to make a health care decision for me, I designate as my second alternate agent:

(name of individual you choose as second alternate agent)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(home phone)

(work phone)

 

 

(1.2) AGENT'S AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to make all health care decisions for me, including decisions to provide, withhold, or withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration and all other forms of health care to keep me alive, except as I state here:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(1.3) WHEN AGENT'S AUTHORITY BECOMES EFFECTIVE: My agent's authority becomes effective when my primary physician determines that I am unable to make my own health care decisions unless I mark the following box.

If I mark this box , my agent's authority to make health care decisions for me takes effect immediately.

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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(1.4.) AGENT'S OBLIGATION: My agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with this power of attorney for health care, any instructions I give in Part 2 of this form, and my other wishes to the extent known to my agent. To the extent my wishes are unknown, my agent shall make health care decisions for me in accordance with what my agent determines to be in my best interest. In determining my best interest, my agent shall consider my personal values to the extent known to my agent.

(1.5) AGENT'S POSTDEATH AUTHORITY: My agent is authorized to donate my organs, tissues, and parts, authorize an autopsy, and direct disposition of my remains, except as I state here or in Part 3 of this form:

:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(1.6) NOMINATION OF CONSERVATOR: If a conservator of my person needs to be appointed for me by a court, I nominate the agent designated in this form. If that agent is not wiling, able, or reasonably available to act as conservator, I nominate the alternate agents whom I have named, in the order designated.

PART 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEALTH CARE

If you fill out this part of the form, you may strike any wording you do not want.

(2.1) END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS: I direct that my health care providers and others involved in my care provide, withhold, or withdraw treatment in accordance with the choice I have marked below:

(a) Choice Not to Prolong Life

I do not want my life to be prolonged if (1) I have an incurable and irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, (2) I become unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I will not regain consciousness, or (3) the likely risks and burdens of treatment would outweigh the expected benefits, OR

(b) Choice to Prolong Life

I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards.

(2.2) RELIEF FROM PAIN: Except as I state in the following space, I direct that treatment for alleviation of pain or discomfort be provided at all times, even if it hastens my death:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

(2.3) OTHER WISHES: (If you do not agree with any of the optional choices above and wish to write your own, or if you wish to add to the instructions you have given above, you may do so here.) I direct that:

(Add additional sheets if needed.)

 

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 3

 

 

DONATION OF ORGANS, TISSUES, AND PARTS AT DEATH

 

 

(OPTIONAL)

 

(3.1)

Upon my death, I give my organs, tissues, and parts (mark box to indicate yes).

 

By checking the box above, and notwithstanding my choice in Part 2 of this form, I authorize my agent to consent to any temporary medical procedure necessary solely to evaluate and/or maintain my organs, tissues, and/or parts for purposes of donation.

My donation is for the following purposes (strike any of the following you do not want):

(a)Transplant

(b)Therapy

(c)Research

(d)Education

If you want to restrict your donation of an organ, tissue, or part in some way, please state your restriction on the following lines:

If I leave this part blank, it is not a refusal to make a donation. My state-authorized donor registration should be followed, or, if none, my agent may make a donation upon my death. If no agent is named above, I acknowledge that California law permits an authorized individual to make such a decision on my behalf. (To state any limitation, preference, or instruction regarding donation, please use the lines above or in Section 1.5 of this form).

PART 4

PRIMARY PHYSICIAN

(OPTIONAL)

(4.1) I designate the following physician as my primary physician:

(name of physician)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

(phone)

OPTIONAL: If the physician I have designated above is not willing, able, or reasonably available to act as my primary physician, I designate the following physician as my primary physician:

(name of physician)

(address)

(city)

(state)

(ZIP Code)

(phone)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

PART 5

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(5.1) EFFECT OF COPY: A copy of this form has the same effect as the original.

(5.2) SIGNATURE: Sign and date the form here:

(date)

(sign your name)

(address)

(print your name)

(city) (state)

(5.3) STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California (1) that the individual who signed or acknowledged this advance health care directive is personally known to me, or that the individual's identity was proven to me by convincing evidence (2) that the individual signed or acknowledged this advance directive in my presence, (3) that the individual appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence, (4) that I am not a person appointed as agent by this advance directive, and (5) that I am not the individual's health care provider, an employee of the individual's health care provider, the operator of a community care facility, an employee of an operator of a community care facility, the operator of a residential care facility for the elderly, nor an employee of an operator of a residential care facility for the elderly.

First witness

Second witness

(print name)

(address)

(city)(state)

(print name)

(address)

(city)(state)

(signature of witness)

(signature of witness)

(date)

(date)

(5.4) ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF WITNESSES: At least one of the above witnesses must also sign the following declaration:

I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am not related to the individual executing this advance health care directive by blood, marriage, or adoption, and to the best of my knowledge, I am not entitled to any part of the individual's estate upon his or her death under a will now existing or by operation of law.

(signature of witness)

(signature of witness)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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PART 6

SPECIAL WITNESS REQUIREMENT

(6.1) The following statement is required only if you are a patient in a skilled nursing facility--a health care facility that provides the following basic services: skilled nursing care and supportive care to patients whose primary need is for availability of skilled nursing care on an extended basis. The patient advocate or ombudsman must sign the following statement:

STATEMENT OF PATIENT ADVOCATE OR OMBUDSMAN

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of California that I am a patient advocate or ombudsman as designated by the State Department of Aging and that I am serving as a witness as required by Section 4675 of the Probate Code.

(date)

(sign your name)

(address)

(print your name)

(city) (state)

 

(Amended by Stats. 2018, Ch. 287, Sec. 1. (AB 3211) Effective January 1, 2019.)

ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE FORM

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.

State of California,

County of

On

before me,

(insert name and title of officer)

personally appeared

who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person

(s) acted, executed the instrument.

I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.

WITNESS my hand and official seal.

Signature

 

(SEAL)

 

 

 

Similar forms

The California Advanced Health Care Directive is an important legal document that allows individuals to outline their healthcare preferences in the event they become unable to communicate those wishes. It shares similarities with several other documents that serve related purposes. Here are six documents that are comparable to the California Advanced Health Care Directive:

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: This document designates a specific person to make healthcare decisions on behalf of an individual if they are unable to do so. Like the Advanced Health Care Directive, it ensures that a person's wishes regarding medical treatment are respected.
  • Living Will: A living will outlines an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment and life-sustaining measures. It serves a similar purpose to the Advanced Health Care Directive by providing guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones about end-of-life care.
  • Mobile Home Bill of Sale: This form is crucial for those involved in the buying or selling of a mobile home, ensuring that the transaction is legally recognized. For more details, see mobilehomebillofsale.com/blank-indiana-mobile-home-bill-of-sale.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order specifies that a person does not want to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest. This document complements the Advanced Health Care Directive by addressing specific medical interventions.
  • POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): The POLST form translates an individual's healthcare preferences into actionable medical orders. It is similar to the Advanced Health Care Directive in that it communicates a person's wishes to healthcare providers, but it is more specific regarding treatment options.
  • Health Care Proxy: A health care proxy is a legal document that appoints someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of another person. This document functions similarly to the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, ensuring that the appointed individual can act according to the person's wishes.
  • Advance Directive for Mental Health Care: This document allows individuals to express their preferences for mental health treatment in case they become incapacitated. It is similar to the Advanced Health Care Directive but focuses specifically on mental health issues, ensuring that a person's preferences are honored in that context.

Each of these documents plays a crucial role in healthcare planning, providing clarity and guidance during difficult times. Understanding their similarities helps individuals make informed choices about their healthcare preferences.

Misconceptions

Understanding the California Advanced Health Care Directive form is crucial for making informed decisions about medical care. However, several misconceptions often cloud its purpose and function. Here are six common misconceptions:

  • It is only for the elderly or terminally ill. Many people believe that this directive is only necessary for older adults or those with serious illnesses. In reality, anyone over the age of 18 can benefit from having this document, as it allows individuals to express their healthcare preferences in advance.
  • It is legally binding in all states. Some assume that the directive is recognized universally across the United States. However, while California honors its own directives, other states may have different laws and requirements regarding advance healthcare directives.
  • It only covers end-of-life decisions. A common misconception is that the directive is solely for end-of-life care. In truth, it encompasses a range of medical decisions, including treatment preferences for serious illnesses or injuries, not just those related to dying.
  • It can only be created with a lawyer's assistance. Many believe that legal counsel is necessary to complete the directive. While consulting a lawyer can be helpful, individuals can fill out the form on their own, as long as they follow the instructions and state laws.
  • Once completed, it cannot be changed. Some individuals think that once they sign the directive, it becomes permanent. In fact, individuals can revise or revoke their directive at any time, as long as they are mentally competent to do so.
  • Healthcare providers will always follow the directive. There is a belief that healthcare providers are obligated to follow the directive without question. However, providers must also consider the legal and ethical implications of the document, and they may not always be able to honor every request.

Addressing these misconceptions is essential for ensuring that individuals can make informed choices about their healthcare preferences. Being proactive in understanding the California Advanced Health Care Directive form can lead to better outcomes and peace of mind.

File Attributes

Fact Name Details
Purpose The California Advanced Health Care Directive allows individuals to specify their health care preferences and appoint an agent to make decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.
Governing Law This directive is governed by California Probate Code Sections 4600-4800.
Eligibility Any adult who is at least 18 years old can create an Advanced Health Care Directive in California.
Agent Appointment Individuals can appoint one or more agents to make health care decisions. Agents must be at least 18 years old and cannot be the patient's health care provider.
Witness Requirement The directive must be signed by the individual and witnessed by either two adults or notarized to be valid.
Revocation A person can revoke their directive at any time, as long as they are mentally competent to do so.
Health Care Preferences Individuals can express their wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other health care decisions.
Durability The directive remains effective even if the individual becomes incapacitated.
Availability Forms are available online through various state and legal resources, making them accessible to the public.
Importance of Discussion It is recommended that individuals discuss their health care preferences with their appointed agents and family members to ensure clarity and understanding.