Advance directives

State-by-state advance directive guides

The single document every adult should have. Names who can make medical decisions for you if you can't — and what kinds of treatment you want (or don't) at the end of life. The form is state-specific; pick yours below.

Pick your state

The Kintaria wizard handles the state-specific signing requirements (witnesses, notary, who is disqualified) so you don't have to read the statute.

What an advance directive is

An advance directive does two things at once. It names a health care agent (proxy, surrogate, attorney-in-fact — the term varies by state) who can speak for you about medical decisions when you can't. And it spells out your treatment preferences for the end-of-life scenarios where modern medicine can prolong dying as easily as it can prolong living.

The form is short. The conversation it forces is hard. Most families who finally do it wish they had done it years earlier.

Why the form is state-specific

Every state has its own statutory form with specific language about which preferences are honored, who can be an agent, how many witnesses are required, and whether a notary can substitute. A California Advance Health Care Directive isn't the same form as a Texas Medical Power of Attorney + Directive to Physicians, even though they cover the same underlying ground. Honoring an out-of- state directive is usually allowed under reciprocity rules, but the path of least friction at an in-state hospital is the state's own form.

We have a guide and a fill-out wizard for every state — pick yours above, or read the universal version below.

What this isn't

An advance directive is not a will (handles property after death), not a financial power of attorney (handles money during life), and not a POLST or MOLST (clinician orders that translate end-of-life preferences into emergency-responder instructions — signed later, by a doctor, usually when serious illness is already present). You may want all four documents eventually. The advance directive is the foundational one.

And it's not legal advice. Kintaria isn't a law firm — the wizard helps you fill the official form using plain-English help text; you're responsible for signing it correctly per your state's rules. For contested situations or complex assets, consult an elder-law attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an attorney to sign an advance directive?
No. Advance directives are designed to be completed and signed without an attorney. Every state publishes its own statutory form, and the signing requirements (witnesses or notary) are spelled out on the form itself. An attorney is helpful for contested guardianship situations, complex estate planning, or unusual asset structures — but not for the standard fill-out-and-sign workflow.
What's the difference between an advance directive and a will?
An advance directive handles medical decisions while you are alive but can't speak for yourself. A will handles property after you die. They are completely separate documents — an advance directive has no effect after death; a will has no effect on medical care during life. Most adults eventually need both. The advance directive is generally more urgent because incapacity can happen at any age.
Will my advance directive be honored in another state?
Usually, yes — most states honor out-of-state directives under reciprocity rules. But the path of least friction at an in-state hospital is the state's own form. If you move permanently, complete the new state's form. If you spend significant time in two states (snowbirds, dual residency), it can be worth having both on file.
Who should I name as my health care agent?
Pick someone who knows you well, can be reached in an emergency, and will advocate for your actual preferences (not their own). Most people name a spouse, an adult child, or a close sibling. Always name an alternate in case the primary can't serve. Most states disqualify your treating physician and (in some states) anyone who stands to inherit from you — the form lists the exclusions.
How often should I update my advance directive?
Every 5–10 years as a default, plus after any major life event: marriage, divorce, the death of your named agent, a new serious diagnosis, or a move to another state. The form holds until you formally update it — but stale documents that name an ex-spouse as agent (and weren't updated) cause real problems at the hospital.
What's the difference between an advance directive and a POLST?
An advance directive is a personal document — anyone can sign one, anytime, before any specific illness. A POLST or MOLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a medical order signed by a doctor, usually when serious illness is already present. POLSTs are honored by EMTs and emergency responders in the field; advance directives are referenced by hospitals when capacity is in question. You may want both eventually, but the advance directive is the foundational one.
Does Kintaria's wizard produce a legally valid document?
The wizard uses each state's official statutory form (most states publish theirs publicly via the state bar association or health department). It fills in the fields based on your answers and outputs a print-ready PDF. The signature, witness, and notary requirements vary by state — the wizard tells you what your state requires. Kintaria isn't a law firm; we help you fill out the form, you're responsible for signing it correctly per your state's rules.
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