CURRAN MAKES LIVING WILLS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran announces that his office will now be providing living wills and other personal health planning documents known as advance directives which have been translated into Spanish. “This topic is one which should be discussed in every home, and I am glad we could make this information available for the more than 300,000 Marylanders who speak Spanish as their first language,” said Attorney General Curran.

A Maryland law called the Health Care Decisions Act says that you can do health care planning through "advance directives." An advance directive can be used to name a health care agent, that is, someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if you cannot. An advance directive can also be used to say what your treatment preferences are, especially about treatments that might be used to sustain your life. The Health Care Decisions Act sets out two optional forms: the shorter one is titled "Living Will," the longer one is titled "Advance Directive" and it has two parts. Both forms can be completed without going to a lawyer, but if there is anything you do not understand about this important subject you may want to speak with an attorney. Two witnesses are needed, but not a notary. Once you have completed an advance directive it remains in effect unless you revoke it. It does not expire. The document should be reviewed every few years to make certain that it still reflects what you want.

Copies of the translated documents are available on Attorney General Curran’s website www.oag.state.md.us, or one copy will be mailed to Maryland residents. E-mail your request for a printed copy to adforms@oag.state.md.us or call 410-576-7000. You can also write to the Maryland Attorney General's Office, Health Policy Division, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202. This is a free service.

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