Make your Michigan healthcare directive.

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 Michigan.

3. 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 patient advocate and alternate patient advocate you named.

What governs a Michigan directive

Michigan's healthcare-directive statute is at Mich. Comp. Laws §700.5506 through §700.5515. The document is called a Patient Advocate Designation. 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 Michigan directive

Mich. Comp. Laws §700.5506(4): the patient advocate designation must be executed in the presence of and signed by two witnesses. A witness may not be the patient's spouse, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, presumptive heir, known devisee at the time of the witnessing, physician, or patient advocate, nor an employee of a life or health insurance provider for the patient, of a health facility that is treating the patient, of a home for the aged as defined in Mich. Comp. Laws §333.20106 where the patient resides, or of a community mental health services program or hospital providing mental health services to the patient. A witness may not sign unless the patient appears to be of sound mind and under no duress, fraud, or undue influence.