Michigan Advanced Healthcare Directives: Plan Ahead to Protect Your Healthcare Choices

EmergencyNotaryServices.com
Jul 7, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jul 22, 2025

Life can change in an instant. Whether it’s a sudden illness, a major surgery, or an unexpected medical emergency, having a plan in place ensures your healthcare wishes are followed—even when you can’t speak for yourself. In Michigan, creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive empowers you to make your medical preferences known and legally respected.

At EmergencyNotaryServices.com, we’re here to help you prepare with confidence. That’s why we’ve partnered with AARP.com to provide free downloadable Michigan-specific Advanced Healthcare Directive forms directly on our website. In this blog, we’ll walk you through what these forms include, how they work, and why you should complete them before they’re ever needed.

📘 What Is an Advanced Healthcare Directive?

An Advanced Healthcare Directive is a legal document that outlines:

Your preferences for medical care during serious illness or incapacitation
The person you authorize to make healthcare decisions on your behalf
Instructions for your medical team and family regarding end of life care

In Michigan, these directives are commonly used when preparing for hospitalization, undergoing surgery, or managing a long-term health condition. They're also essential for unexpected emergencies.

📂 What’s Included in a Michigan Advanced Healthcare Directive Package?

👤 Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

This document allows you to appoint a healthcare agent (also called a patient advocate) who will make medical decisions for you if you become unable to do so yourself. Your agent can:

Approve or refuse medical treatments
Work with healthcare providers
Ensure that your wishes are honored

✅ In Michigan, this form must be signed and witnessed by two adults, and your agent must accept their role in writing before it becomes valid.

📝 Living Will (Optional but Recommended)

While not legally binding in Michigan, a Living Will can still be a powerful tool for communicating your desires regarding life-sustaining treatments. This might include:

CPR
Mechanical ventilation
Feeding tubes
Palliative or hospice care

Including this document alongside your Durable Power of Attorney provides additional clarity for your agent and healthcare team.

🔐 HIPAA Authorization

Without a signed HIPAA release, your agent may not be able to access your protected health information. This form grants them legal permission to review your medical records, speak with doctors, and make informed decisions about your care.

❌ Michigan Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order

If you choose not to receive resuscitation efforts (like CPR), you’ll need a DNR order signed by both you and your physician. This document should be easily accessible in your home or medical record and is typically used in tandem with other advance care planning tools.

⏰ Why Should You Complete These Forms Before an Emergency?

Creating your Advanced Healthcare Directives in Michigan now ensures that:

✅ Your medical care reflects your values and preferences
✅ Your family isn’t burdened with making difficult decisions in a crisis
✅ Your healthcare team can act quickly and legally

📥 Click here to download your free Michigan Advanced Healthcare Directive forms (via AARP)These forms are designed to comply with Michigan law and come with clear instructions for completing them correctly.

🖋️ Need Help Getting Your Documents Witnessed or Notarized?

While Michigan law requires witnesses but not notarization, many individuals choose to have their documents notarized as an extra layer of legal security—especially when presenting them to out-of-state hospitals or long-term care facilities.

🔎 Use our Notary Directory to locate a trusted Michigan notary near you🚗 Can’t find one in your area? Request a free quote, and we’ll connect you with a mobile or remote notary who can meet you at home, in a hospital, or at another convenient location.

Our notaries are experienced in healthcare documentation and will ensure every signature is properly completed according to Michigan regulations.

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✅ Take Charge of Your Health and Your Future

Whether you’re facing a planned procedure or simply planning ahead, completing your Advanced Healthcare Directives in Michigan is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones.

Let EmergencyNotaryServices.com help you every step of the way: