Health and personal care · Pennsylvania
Advance Directives and End-of-Life Care
Understand Pennsylvania living wills, health-care powers of attorney, advance directives, and medical orders before choosing the appropriate document.
Educational directory only. This page is not legal advice and does not replace the official instructions.
What this resource covers
Understand Pennsylvania living wills, health-care powers of attorney, advance directives, and medical orders before choosing the appropriate document.
This document or guide is specific to Pennsylvania. Do not substitute a similarly named form from another state, province, or territory.
Before you sign
Pennsylvania distinguishes an advance directive from a medical order. Use a current state-compliant form and verify the applicable signature and witness requirements.
If capacity is disputed, the appointment is complex, or property crosses jurisdictions, get advice from a qualified lawyer or notary where appropriate.
After it is properly completed
Give usable copies to your agent and health-care providers, tell trusted people where the signed original is stored, and review the document after major life or relationship changes.
You can then record its location and the responsible contacts in BeforeHand. Uploading a file does not make it legally valid or replace delivery, registration, witnessing, or notarization required elsewhere.
Open the official resource
This external page is maintained by Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Check its revision date and instructions before relying on a saved copy.
Open Pennsylvania Department of Aging resource →