Will.com / Healthcare directive / California

CA · Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD)

Make your California healthcare directive.

Tell doctors what care you want and name someone to speak for you if you can't. Legally valid in California. Free to create, or add secure online document storage with the $29/year subscription.

California healthcare directive requirements

Witnesses required2 witnesses
NotarizationNot required
Official formAdvance Health Care Directive (AHCD)

How it works

  1. 1

    Answer a few questions

    About your care preferences and who you want making decisions.

  2. 2

    Download your healthcare directive

    A complete, personalized document, formatted for California.

  3. 3

    Sign and share

    Sign in front of 2 adult witnesses. Give a copy to your healthcare agent and your doctor.

What governs a California directive

California's healthcare-directive statute is at Cal. Prob. Code §§4700-4701. The official form is the Advance Health Care Directive (AHCD). Your directive is valid the moment it's signed under your state's witness and notary rules above; it only takes effect if your physician determines you can't make or communicate decisions yourself.

Recent California directive law changes

  • California remote online notarization law signed, phased rollout

    SB 696 authorizes RON in California but delays implementation until the Secretary of State completes its technology project or until January 1, 2030, whichever comes first. Out-of-state RON is currently recognized for California documents.

    SB 696 · Effective 2030-01-01

Two tiers, both private

Free: nothing leaves your browser. No account, no storage. Clear your answers whenever.

Subscription ($29/year): zero-knowledge encrypted storage. We store the ciphertext; only you hold the key. Edit and update as life changes.

Ready to create your directive?

Whatever you decide today, your family won’t have to guess. Start free, or save it to your account for $29 a year.

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