When any of us thinks about legal documents, we think about keeping them filed away somewhere safe, like a locked firebox or desk drawer.  ADs are different, though, because they serve us best when they are available during crises.


Your doctors and agent must be able to quickly and easily find your AD if they are going to follow it.  Therefore, you should consider making and sharing copies of your AD with people who you trust and who can help make it available during a crisis

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Examples include your:

  • Health care agent(s)
  • Primary care doctor
  • Psychiatrist or psychologist
  • Case manager
  • Community Services Board
  • Local hospital(s)
  • Other health care providers
  • Attorney
  • Family members
  • Trusted friends
  • Clergy person



Please keep track of the people you give copies to because if you want to change or revoke your AD, you will need to let everyone know. In order to help you keep track of who you have given your Advance Directive to, you can use “My Advance Directive Tracking Sheet.” 


Another way that you can make your Advance Directive available to others is by using one of the Advance Directive Registries.  To learn more about the AD Registries, please click here.


For another resource to help you think through good next steps to take once you have completed your Advance Directive, please see the Next Steps Worksheet.  For a type-in version of this resource, please click here.

Sharing Your Advance Directive