Quickly create your Vermont health care directive

You can complete FindLaw’s attorney-created health care directive forms in less than an hour at home. Our guided process takes you through a few easy steps and includes a free HIPAA release form. You’ll be able to download, print and sign your documents in no time.

Create my form

We back your forms purchase with a 30-day guarantee

Find the estate planning form that’s right for you

The benefits of having a health care directive in Vermont

Having a health care directive provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. That is why this document is an essential part of any estate plan. The purpose of a health care directive is to spell out your wishes regarding emergency medical care, such as whether you wish to receive life-sustaining treatment following an accident that renders you unable to speak. It gives both you and your family well-deserved peace of mind.

FindLaw’s form creates a reliable Vermont health care directive to protect your interests and reduce stress on your family and medical team.

Findlaw provides everything you need:

Last updated: February 01, 2022

Written by:

Linda Long, J.D.

Contributing Author

Reviewed by:

Tim Kelly, J.D.

Contributing Author

Vermont health care directive options to suit your needs

Health Care Directive
For One Person

A do-it-yourself health care directive that’s easy to personalize.

$39

What’s included:

Step-by-step guided process

A health care directive tailored to your needs

Attorney-approved document compliant with your state’s laws

Free HIPAA release form

Free changes and revisions to your document for up to a full year after purchase

* Select your state:

BEST VALUE

Estate Planning Package
For One person

All the forms you need to create a personal estate plan

$135

What’s included:

Last will and testament

Health care directive

Power of attorney

Free HIPAA release form

A comprehensive plan — for less

Free changes and revisions for up to one year after purchase

* Select your state:

How it works

Create your health care directive in under an hour

Create an account

Create a secure account which is accessible through an easy dashboard you can access any time

Gather information

Decide who will be your health care agent/proxy, which treatments you would request or refuse and release your records

Complete your document

Answer all questions, then we’ll generate your digital documents for downloading, printing, and signing

Make it legal

Print and sign your document according to instructions. Give copies to your doctors and agent/proxy

What’s next to make my Vermont health care directive valid?

Follow these steps:

Choose a health care agent

A health care agent is the person you appoint to be your medical advocate when you are unable to communicate on your own behalf. A health care agent’s job is to be aware of the provisions of your health care directive and to ensure that your wishes are carried out as you have stated them. Your health care agent should be trustworthy, decisive and a good advocate. This person should be steadfast and not easily influenced by the opinions of your friends and family.

You should also consider choosing an alternate agent. Your alternate agent will not have any power unless the person who has been selected as your primary agent is unable or unwilling to perform the duties you have requested.

Choose your medical treatment preferences

Having a health care directive allows you to make important health care decisions for yourself in advance. Imagine not being able to speak, being permanently unconscious, or not advocating for yourself. It is essential to have a health care directive as part of your medical records. That way you have already decided what should be done if the time comes when you are unable to speak.

The most important part of creating a health care directive is choosing your medical treatment preferences. Think about:

Life-prolonging acts
Admittance into a life-term care facility
Admittance into a hospice care facility
Wishes about resuscitation
Withdrawal of life support
The use of feeding tubes
The use of blood transfusions

You may want to speak with a lawyer if:

Your family disagrees with your medical choices
You don’t know who to appoint as your agent
You have questions about life prolonging measures
You want legal review of your completed document

Find a local estate planning lawyer

Ready to start your Vermont health care directive?

Create my health care directive

Frequently asked questions about health care directives in Vermont

Show all | Hide all

What is a health care directive?

A health care directive, also called a living will, is a legal document created to state a patient’s medical treatment preferences in the event of their incapacity. Incapacity means that the patient is either temporarily or permanently unconscious or is unable to speak. The advantages of having a health care directive include removing pressure from family members during an already trying time and knowing that your medical and moral wishes will be respected. It can also help your health care team make better and faster decisions about your medical care.

What are the legal requirements to create a health care directive in Vermont?

In Vermont, anyone can create a health care directive provided:

The person who executed the health care directive is at least 18 years old
The person making the health care directive is of sound mind
The health care directive is signed by at least two adult witnesses

Who should have a health care directive?

Everyone over 18 should have a health care directive regardless of family status or wealth. A health care directive is an essential legal document that speaks for you when you cannot. It is vital to make these types of decisions in case you become temporarily or permanently unconscious. You should create a health care directive if you are going into surgery or an extended hospital stay or going into a nursing home or long-term care facility. FindLaw’s do-it-yourself options help you create this important legal document in the comfort of your own home.

Is a health care directive the same as a durable power of attorney?

No, a health care directive and durable power of attorney are not the same things. A durable power of attorney is made to allow an agent to make general decisions about your welfare and a health care directive is specifically about health care during a time of incapacity. A durable power of attorney does not take the place of a health care directive. Your agent in your durable power of attorney will be able to take care of your financial affairs, your home, or other specific circumstances. A health care directive only has effect during the principal’s incapacity. A durable power of attorney may give the attorney-in-fact authority to make decisions even after the principal’s capacity is regained. If you wish to limit your agent’s control, a health care directive is the best way to go.

Do I need a lawyer to create a legally valid Vermont health care directive?

Vermont law does not require a person to hire an attorney to complete a legally valid health care directive. FindLaw’s forms help you create this document without the expense of hiring an attorney.

FindLaw is not a law firm, and the forms are not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney. If you have complex family situations or would otherwise like a lawyer’s advice and review, please visit our directory to find a lawyer near you.

Complex family situation? Need additional guidance?

Contact a local estate planning attorney.