The Kentucky Advance Directive combines the attributes of a “living will” and “medical power of attorney” to form one all-encompassing document. Traditionally, a living will allows its executor to clarify their wants pertaining to end-of-life care, whereas a medical POA facilitates the appointment of an agent to manage healthcare decisions on the behalf of the principal. With that being said, the terms advance directive and living will are used synonymously in the state of Kentucky as their version of the living will comes equipped with a “health care surrogate designation” that essentially provides the same effect as a medical POA. To fulfill the requirements of this instrument, the principal must:
- indicate whether or not they choose to designate a health care surrogate;
- establish their desires regarding life-ending decisions;
- and supply their endorsement in the form of a signature which is to be witnessed by two (2) eligible adults or a notary public.
(Residents of Kentucky who are interested in becoming an organ donor can visit the Donate Life KY Website for more information on the enrollment process.)
Laws
Statutes – Kentucky Living Will Directive Act (§ 311.621 – § 311.643)
Definition – “Advance directive” means a living will directive made in accordance with KRS 311.621 to 311.643, a living will or designation of health care surrogate executed prior to July 15, 1994, and any other document that provides directions relative to health care to be provided to the person executing the document (§ 311.621(2)).
Statutory Form – § 311.625(1)
Signing Requirements – Acknowledgment of Two (2) Witnesses or Notary Public (§ 311.625(2))
Revocation – § 311.627
Other Versions (9)
- AARP
- Baptist Health
- Catholic Conference of Kentucky
- Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity)
- Hosparus Health
- Methodist Hospital
- Norton Healthcare
- Prepare for Your Care
- Spanish/Español
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Catholic Conference of Kentucky Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity) Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Prepare for Your Care Version (also available in Spanish/en Español)
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- Baptist Health – Conversations That Matter
- Catholic Conference of Kentucky – Advance Directives: A Catholic Perspective
- Hosparus Health – Making Choices for End-of-Life Care
- Methodist Hospital – Advance Directives: You Have a Choice
- Office of the Attorney General – Advance Directive Instructions (Spanish/Español)
- Office of the Attorney General – Living Will Information (Spanish/Español)
- University of Kentucky – Planning for Incapacity
Related Forms (7)
- Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment
- Advance Directive Wallet Cards
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order Form
- Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
- Living Will Supplement Form
- Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) Form
- Organ Donor Registry Form
Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: § 202A.420 – § 202A.432
Advance Directive Wallet Cards
Download: Adobe PDF
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Download: Adobe PDF
Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST) Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: § 311.6225
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: § 311.1911 – § 311.1959