Advance Directives Are Not Required

You do not have to prepare an Advance Directive if you do not want one. If you do have one, you may change it or cancel it at any time.

Any change or cancellation should be written, signed, dated, and witnessed. Copies of the changed Advance Directive should be given to your doctor and to others who have a copy of the old one. Before making any changes, find out what the state law says you must do when you change an Advance Directive

If you wish to cancel or change an Advance Directive while you are in the hospital, you should tell your doctor, your family, and others who need to know. If you are able to communicate, the doctor will generally follow your directions even when those directions are different from your Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.