Living Will Laws - Michigan

State Website: www.michiganlegislature.org/

State Law Reference: Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated.

Living Will Form: No state statute governing the use of Living Wills. However, you have a constitutional right to state your wishes about medical care.

Other Directives: An organ donation form is provided on this site as part of the state-specific Advance Health Care Directive under the Anatomical Gift Act.

Living Will Effective: In the event that you develop an irreversible condition that prevents you from making your own medical decisions.

Living Will/Advance Health Care Directive Witness Requirements: Because Michigan does not have a statute governing the use of Living Wills, there are no specific requirements to make your Living Will legally binding. We suggest that you sign in the presence of two (2) witnesses eighteen (18) years or older or a notary public. A witness should not be your health care provider or an employee of your health care provider. Witnesses should not be entitled to any part of your estate, be financially responsible for your medical care, or be related to you by blood or marriage.

Advance Health Care Directive: No state statute.

Durable Health Care Power of Attorney: May authorize patient advocate to exercise 1 or more powers concerning patient’s care, custody, and medical treatment that patient could have exercised on own behalf. Patient advocate may make decision to withhold or withdraw treatment which would allow patient to die only if patient has expressed in a clear and convincing manner that patient advocate is allowed to do so and that patient acknowledges that such a decision would allow death. (1) Revocable at any time and in any manner sufficient to communicate intent by patient to revoke; (2) resignation or removal of patient advocate; (3) subsequent designation that revokes prior designation, either expressly or by inconsistency; (4) divorce revokes designation of patient advocate in former spouse; (5) death of patient; (6) order of probate court; (7) occurrence of provision for revocation contained in designation; (8) any current desires of patient are binding on patient advocate. Person providing, performing, with holding, withdrawing medical treatment reasonably relying on decisions of patient advocate is liable in same manner and to same extent as if patient had made decision on his or her own behalf. No state-specific form provided by legislature. (Sections 700.5506+). Follow signature, witness, and notary requirements as noted on form.

Durable Financial Power of Attorney: No state-specific form provided by legislature. (Sections 700.5501+). Follow signature, witness, and notary requirements as noted on form.