David Fagan

Utah Advance Directives

It is recommended by the state of Utah's department of human resources that individuals have prepared documents that carefully set out what their wishes are in case of a terminal illness, or if they are unable to decide their own decisions.

These documents are called advance directives; they consist of a Utah Living Will form and a Utah Power of Attorney for Health Care Form.

Your living will is your written instructions that explain your personal wishes regarding the kind of health care you will receive in case of a terminal illness, or if you can no longer communicate those decisions yourself. It is recommended that your wishes be as specific as possible. In your living will you will need to decide what kind of life sustaining procedures you feel are okay if you’re in a vegetative state. Since it is your right to make your own medical decisions in Utah, it is legally solely up to you to decide whether or not life sustaining treatment will be withheld or withdrawn, even your physicians decisions are in conflict.

A Utah Health Care Power of Attorney form is where you name somebody you trust to make all your health care and related legal decisions for you in case you are unable to do so yourself.

You may only create an advance directive in Utah if you are above the age of 18 years old. It is suggested by the state of Utah's Department of Human Resources that you consult the person you want to carry out your wishes about your advance directive, make sure that person understands what you want.

For a Utah living will form you need two witnesses. For example you could as two co-works to sign as witnesses on your living will form.

For Utah's health care power of attorney form you will need to have it notarized before you can file it with the court.

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