Living Will / Advance Directive in California
Start with the official California form
The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the No filing required; give copies to healthcare providers. Search your county or district court's website for the current Living Will / Advance Directive form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.
Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.
California Requirements
- Must be signed by the principal and either notarized or witnessed by two qualified witnesses
- At least one witness cannot be a healthcare provider or employee of a healthcare facility
- Patient advocate or ombudsman can serve as a witness for skilled nursing facility residents
- Must be dated
- POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a separate medical order form
No filing required; give copies to healthcare providers
None
How to Complete This Form
- 1Consider your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment, resuscitation, and palliative care.
- 2Obtain your state's statutory advance directive form if one is available.
- 3Specify your wishes regarding artificial nutrition, hydration, ventilator support, and other treatments.
- 4If your state offers a combined form, also designate a healthcare agent to make decisions on your behalf.
- 5Sign the document in the presence of the required witnesses and/or notary public.
- 6Provide copies to your healthcare agent, primary care physician, and hospital.
- 7Review and update the document periodically or after major health changes.
Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)
This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Living Will / Advance Directive in California. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the No filing required; give copies to healthcare providers. Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.
Living Will / Advance Directive in Other States
Other Forms in California
When to Talk to a Lawyer
- You have a complex medical condition and want to ensure your advance directive covers specific scenarios.
- You are concerned that family members may disagree about your end-of-life care preferences.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.