What is a Living Will Registry?

A living will registry is a product of the modern age. It allows people to easily store their advance directives online so that their wishes will be known, without regard to the state in which he or she becomes incapacitated, by any doctor or hospital providing care. An advance directive is the name for two different types of legal documents that allow you to determine the kind of health care you want to receive, should you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself. A living will is a legal document in which you list what types of treatment you are willing to undergo; a healthcare power of attorney is a legal document in which you name someone to make healthcare decisions for you. So how does the living will registry work?

To begin with, you will register your advance directive with a registry service, such as Docubank, via a simple form. This form lets them send a copy of your advance directive to any health care provider in the United States, should that provider be treating you. Once you are registered, you can revoke your advance directive(s), so the decision to register is not an irreversible one.

After you are registered, your advance directive is stored in DocuBank’s online database. In addition, you will receive a card that identifies you as a registrant. As a service to our clients, we pay for their first year of DocuBank membership.