Proxies and Living Wills While Pregnant

[sandokai]

I am trying to figure out how to get the forms to create a health care proxy so my partner (whom I am not legally married to) can make medical decisions on my behalf, have hospital visitation, etc., and vice-versa. Any ideas how to get the proper forms, make sure they're filled out in a legit way, etc

Comments

[sandokai]

I had originally thought that but have since been told from various sources you really don't need to pay a lawyer for this. Apparently it is a simple form you can just get notarized. Nobody seems to know where I would obtain the form, however.

[sonarafaey]

I don't have an answer for you, but you might get some good input is you post this to law_questions

[coendou]

I've seen a lot of legal forms at places like Office Max/Depot/Staples, I would look there.

I have no idea about the "Not valid if pregnant" part, though - the instructions that come with the forms might explain it, or you might want to talk to a lawyer.

[a_tergo_lupi]

Some of these forms should be things you can do with a notary, but I wouldn't really know where to start. You may look around your area for a legal advice source. Some municipalities have voluntary advice sources.

I would imagine the "not valid if pregnant" part has to do with some heinous restrictions on your rights to what happens to your body if there's a fetus inside it, especially considering the locations it's listed for.

[meeksnmeebs]

When I googled, this came up:

Is a living will effective when I am pregnant?

Pennsylvania law generally does not permit a doctor or other health care provider to honor the living will of a pregnant woman who has directed that she not be kept alive. The terms of such a living will may be honored, however, if the woman's doctor determines that life-sustaining treatment: 1) will not maintain the woman in a manner that will allow for the continued development and birth of the unborn child; 2) will physically harm the pregnant woman; or 3) cause her pain which could not be relieved by medication. If your living will is not honored because you are pregnant, the Commonwealth must pay all usual, customary and reasonable expenses of your care.

http://www.wellspan.org/body.cfm?id=928

[sandokai]

Well at least they don't stick people with medical bills they didn't want to have!