The Maryland Advance Directive is simply the best way to notify loved ones and physicians of what your preferences are concerning medical treatment at the time of incapacity. The form is broken down into three (3) primary sections:
This Document Contains:
- Selection of Health Care Agent – This section allows the executor to give power of attorney to a person of their choice to make medical decisions on their behalf.
- Treatment Preferences – As the living will portion of the form, this provides individuals with the opportunity to declare their own wishes regarding end-of-life care.
- After My Death – This is a premeditated measure taken by the principal to clarify their wants pertaining to any organ/body donation, disposition of the body, and funeral arrangements.
After each section has been filled out accordingly, the principal/declarant must sign the instrument in front of at least two (2) witnesses as corroboration to the document’s formal execution.
Laws
Statutes – Title 5, Subtitle 6: Health Care Decisions Act (§ 5-601 – § 5-626)
Definition (§ 5-601(b)) – “Advance directive” means:
- A witnessed written or electronic document, voluntarily executed by the declarant in accordance with the requirements of this subtitle;
- A witnessed oral statement, made by the declarant in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle; or
- An electronic document, voluntarily executed by the declarant, in which the declarant’s identity is authenticated in accordance with the guidelines described in § 5–602(c)(3) of this subtitle.
Statutory Form – § 5-603
Signing Requirements – Acknowledgment of Two (2) Witnesses (§ 5-602(c))
Revocation – § 5-604
Other Versions (9)
- AARP
- District of Colombia Hospital Association
- Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity)
- Frederick Health
- Kaiser Permanente
- Maryland Catholic Conference
- Prepare for Your Care
- Spanish/Español
- Visually Impaired
Download: Adobe PDF
Instructions: Adobe PDF
District of Colombia Hospital Association Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Five Wishes (Aging with Dignity) Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Maryland Catholic Conference Version
Download: Adobe PDF
Information: Adobe PDF
Prepare for Your Care Version (also available in Spanish/en Español)
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Information: Adobe PDF
Additional Resources
- ABA Commission on Law & Aging – Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
- Frederick Health – Advance Care Planning
- Kennedy Krieger Institute – Advance Directive Toolkit
- Luminis Health – Completing Your Advance Directive
- Maryland Legal Aid – Planning for Incapacity
- Maryland MOLST – 10 Things to Know About Making Health Care Decisions
- Maryland MOLST – Guide for Authorized Decision Makers
- Maryland MOLST – Guide for Patients
- Maryland MOLST – How Do I Plan for My Health Care?
- Maryland MOLST – Understanding Your Choices for Medical Treatments
- MHAMD – Advance Directive for Mental Health Care FAQ
- Office of the Attorney General – Advance Directives Information Sheet
- Office of the Attorney General – Planning for Future Health Care Decisions
- Office of the Attorney General – Summary of Maryland Health Care Decisions Act
- University of Maryland – EMS DNR/MOLST Form Versus Advance Directive
Related Forms (6)
- Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment
- Advance Directive Wallet Cards
- Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
- Health Care Decision Making Worksheet
- Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) Form
- Organ/Body Donation, Disposition of Body, & Funeral Arrangements Form
Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Advance Directive Wallet Cards
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
Health Care Decision Making Worksheet
Download: Adobe PDF
Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) Form
Download: Adobe PDF
Laws: Adobe PDF
Organ/Body Donation, Disposition of Body, & Funeral Arrangements Form
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)
For Visually Impaired: Adobe PDF, MS Word (.docx)