How to Get a Free Advance Health Care Directive in California
Free Health Care Directive for Californians!
People usually forget that estate planning involves much more than wills and trusts.
Part of any solid estate plan, the Directive allows your chosen agent(s) to make health care decisions for you if you can’t do so yourself!
In some states, it is still called a “Living Will” which is probably why many people confuse it with a “Living Trust.” In California, the “living will” is now called an Advance Health Care Directive. I provide my clients with a VERY robust and comprehensive document.
Some online companies and paralegal services will sell you an Advance Health Care Directive, but what they are actually providing you is something you can get for free! That’s California Probate Code already provides a free Health Care Directive in section 4701 of the code. The reason some places sell this form to you is because they are NOT allowed to practice can only provide you with the entry-level form. While the form in the code has its shortcomings, and is indeed “entry level,” it is better than nothing.
If you don’t have a solid directive, and you haven’t done an estate plan, then at the very least, you can get the FREE one and fill it out yourself.
Here is how you can get the FREE entry level form:
1. Go to the California Attorney General’s website at
2. In the top right, you will find a search box
3. In the search box, type “advance health care directive”
4. The first result should be California’s FREE entry level form that you can fill out online. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully!
If you want something more robust or a more complete estate plan that will provide you and your family with MUCH more protections, please feel free to call my office and make an appointment. You will be glad you did.
EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD HAVE AN ADVANCE HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES, BUT HAVING ONE (EVEN THE FREE FORM) IS LIKELY BETTER THAN NOT HAVING ANYTHING AT ALL.
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