Will.com / Healthcare directive / Maryland
MD · Advance Directive
Make your Maryland healthcare directive.
Tell doctors what care you want and name someone to speak for you if you can't. Legally valid in Maryland once signed under the Maryland signing rules below. Free to create, or add secure online document storage with the $29/year subscription.
Maryland healthcare directive requirements
How it works
- 1
Answer a few questions
About your care preferences and who you want making decisions.
- 2
Download your healthcare directive
A complete, personalized document, formatted for Maryland.
- 3
Sign and share
Sign in front of 2 adult witnesses. A notary is not required, but notarization is recommended. Not everyone can witness it, so read the witness statement on the document before you choose. Give a copy to your doctor and to any healthcare agent and alternate agent you named.
What governs a Maryland directive
Maryland's healthcare-directive statute is at Md. Code Health-Gen. §5-601 et seq. The official form is the Advance Directive. 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.
Witness rules for your Maryland directive
Md. Health-Gen. §5-602(c)(2)(ii): the health care agent of the declarant may not serve as a witness. Under §5-602(c)(2)(iii), at least one of the two witnesses must be an individual who is not knowingly entitled to any portion of the estate of the declarant or knowingly entitled to any financial benefit by reason of the death of the declarant. Otherwise, under §5-602(c)(2)(i), any competent individual may serve as a witness, including an employee of a health care facility, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or physician caring for the declarant if acting in good faith.
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.
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Whatever you decide today, your family won’t have to guess. Start free, or save it to your account for $29 a year.