Maintaining Your Advance Directive

Once you have completed your directive, you need to have it witnessed. In California, the form is legal when witnessed by two adults who are not your agents or by a notary public. One of the witnesses must be someone who is 1) not a family member and 2) does not benefit from your death. Some states require the directive be notarized, and some require both witnesses and notarization. There may be other restrictions in your state about who can be a witness.  

Keep your directive in an accessible place (not your safe deposit box), and give copies to your agent(s), doctor, hospital, and attorney, if you have one.  Make a list on your original of who has a copy. Review your directive regularly, and update it if addresses or telephone numbers change.   For changes in your wishes, fill out a new directive and send copies to those who received the first one.

Continue to: Download an Advance Directive