Health Care Advance Directives, Living Will, Designation Of Health Care Surrogate Template, Uniform Donor Form (Page 2 of 9) in pdf

What is a health care surrogate designation?

It is a document naming another person as your representative to make medical decisions for you if you

are unable to make them yourself. You can include instructions about any treatment you want or do not

want, similar to a living will. You can also designate an alternate surrogate.

Which is best?

Depending on your individual needs you may wish to complete any one or a combination of the three

types of advance directives.

What is an anatomical donation?

It is a document that indicates your wish to donate, at death, all or part of your body. This can be an

organ and tissue donation to persons in need, or donation of your body for training of health care workers.

You can indicate your choice to be an organ donor by designating it on your driver’s license or state

identification card (at your nearest driver’s license office), signing a uniform donor form (seen elsewhere

in this pamphlet), or expressing your wish in a living will.

Am I required to have an advance directive under Florida law?

No, there is no legal requirement to complete an advance directive. However, if you have not made an

advance directive, decisions about your health care or an anatomical donation may be made for you by a

court-appointed guardian, your wife or husband, your adult child, your parent, your adult sibling, an adult

relative, or a close friend.

The person making decisions for you may or may not be aware of your wishes. When you make an

advance directive, and discuss it with the significant people in your life, it will better assure that your

wishes will be carried out the way you want.

Must an attorney prepare the advance directive?

No, the procedures are simple and do not require an attorney, though you may choose to consult one.

However, an advance directive, whether it is a written document or an oral statement, needs to be

witnessed by two individuals. At least one of the witnesses cannot be a spouse or a blood relative.

Where can I find advance directive forms?

Florida law provides a sample of each of the following forms: a living will, a health care surrogate, and

an anatomical donation. Elsewhere in this pamphlet we have included sample forms as well as resources

where you can find more information and other types of advance directive forms.

Can I change my mind after I write an advance directive?

Yes, you may change or cancel an advance directive at any time. Any changes should be written, signed

and dated. However, you can also change an advance directive by oral statement; physical destruction of

the advance directive; or by writing a new advance directive.

If your driver’s license or state identification card indicates you are an organ donor, but you no longer

want this designation, contact the nearest driver’s license office to cancel the donor designation and a new

license or card will be issued to you.

What if I have filled out an advance directive in another state and need treatment in Florida?

An advance directive completed in another state, as described in that state's law, can be honored in

Florida.

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