Creating an Advance Health Care Directive

An advance healthcare directive is a legal document that specifies your wishes for end-of-life healthcare, and who should make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. It is also known as a living will, advance directive, or medical directive. Commonly, an advance healthcare directive may be composed of two or more parts. One part is a healthcare power of attorney section, and it lets you authorize someone you trust to make healthcare decisions on your behalf.  Another part is a living will section, in which you can explain your wishes and preferences regarding the healthcare you receive.

Creating an advance healthcare directive using FreeWill costs nothing. We provide easy-to-use tools to create your own Advance Healthcare Directive at no cost, making planning as painless as possible.

"Healthcare" can capture a wide array of services and treatments. As a result, you can use this document to address a broad set of circumstances you might face.

All portions of an advance healthcare directive are optional. If you'd like to make an AHCD through FreeWill or learn more about an AHCD, please follow this link. 

Why is it important to make an advance healthcare directive?

No matter how old you are, or what shape you are in, a medical crisis can arise without warning.  Sometimes, serious illness or an injury can leave you unable to communicate your wishes.  If that happens, your loved ones and healthcare providers may need to make decisions regarding your care for you, and they might not know what your wishes are.  Sometimes, this can lead to difficult disagreements and painful choices.  By putting an advance healthcare directive in place, however, you can help avoid these complications, by making your preferences clear and appointing someone you trust to make your healthcare decisions for you. 

An advance medical directive can help your loved ones navigate difficult medical decisions with confidence, knowing a course reflects your wishes.  You can give yourself and your loved ones peace of mind by creating your advance medical directive.

How to add an AHDC to my FreeWill account

When using FreeWill, you have the option to choose from a number of products for your estate and life planning needs including an Advance Healthcare Directive. 

To create a new AHCD:

1. Login to your FreeWill account
2. Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page
3. Select 'My Documents' from the drop-down
4. Scroll to the 'Your Estate Plan' section of the page
5. Select 'Start' next to 'Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive)'

How to edit your existing AHCD

You are always able to come back later to complete your document or return to update it if you need to make edits. If you already have a verified account and password with FreeWill, you can log in with your credentials and make your edits.

1. Login to your FreeWill account
2. Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page
3. Select 'My Documents' from the drop-down
4. Scroll to the 'Your Estate Plan' section of the page
5. Select 'View/Edit' next to 'Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive)'

How to print your AHCD

Once you have completed your Advance Healthcare Directive you have the option to download and print the document right from your computer.

To print your AHCD:

1. Login to your FreeWill account
2. Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page
3. Select 'My Documents' from the drop-down
4. Scroll to the 'Your Estate Plan' section of the page
5. Select 'View/Edit' next to 'Living Will (Advance Healthcare Directive)'
6. Select 'Finish'
7. Select 'Download' and follow the included instructions to sign and finalize it