The Massachusetts Advance Directive is a two-part document that provides doctors and family members with the executor’s instructions concerning medical treatment at the time of their incapacity. The first part (health care proxy) allows the principal to designate an agent to make health care decisions for them should they be unable to act for themselves. The second part (living will) provides the individual with the opportunity to state their own preferences regarding organ/tissue donation, life-sustaining procedures, and resuscitation efforts. To complete the document, users must name an agent, indicate their preferences, and sign it in front of two (2) witnesses.
This Document Contains:
(Individuals seeking to register as organ/tissue donors may do so by visiting the Donate Life New England Website and providing the requested information.)
Laws
Statutes – Medical POA (Chapter 201D: Health Care Proxies), Living Will (No Legal Statutes)
Definition – ”Health care proxy”, a document delegating to an agent the authority to make health care decisions, executed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter (201D § 1). Massachusetts law does not contain a legal definition for the living will document.
Signing Requirements – The health care proxy section of the advance directive must be signed in the presence of two (2) witnesses (201D § 2). Although there are no legal signing requirements regarding the living will portion, it is recommended that the principal sign it as confirmation of their recorded wishes.
Other Versions (8)
- AARP
- Archdiocese of Boston
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity)
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Catholic Conference
- Prepare for Your Care
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Brigham and Women’s Hospital Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity) Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Honoring Choices Massachusetts Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Massachusetts Catholic Conference Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Languages: Chinese, Spanish
Multilingual Versions (4)
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Download: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- Department of Public Health – Know Your Choices (Spanish/Español)
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Choosing a Health Care Agent
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Next Steps Tool Kit
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Things to Know About a Health Care Proxy
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Things to Know About a Personal Directive
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Things to Know About Life-Sustaining Treatment
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Things to Know About MOLST & CC/DNR Orders
- Honoring Choices Massachusetts – Who’s Your Agent?
- Massachusetts Medical Society – Planning Ahead Brochure (Spanish/Español)
- Massachusetts MOLST – Brochure (Spanish/Español)
- Massachusetts MOLST – Glossary of Terms (Spanish/Español)
- Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee – Practical Guide to DNR Orders
- State of Massachusetts – Children with CC/DNR Orders in a School Setting
- Tufts Health Plan – Types of Advance Directives for Massachusetts
Related Forms
Comfort Care DNR Order Verification with Bracelet Inserts
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) Form
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Information: Adobe PDF