Advance Directives, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Advance Directives, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Health and Financial Decisions: Legal Tools for Preserving Your Personal Autonomy
Important information from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging on preserving your right to make decisions about your life. [PDF]
Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
This booklet from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging describes in simple terms what it's like to be a health care proxy, what to do while there is still time to think about it, how to make the hard decisions, and where to get help. [PDF] (2009)
Guardianship
Information on legal guardianship from the Erie County Bar Association (August 22, 2018)
Guardian Tracking System (Video)
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has released an educational video highlighting the Guardianship Tracking System (GTS), a new web-based system for guardians, court staff, Orphans’ Court clerks and judges to file, manage, track and submit reports. The video highlights how the new system will help protect adults of all ages who have been appointed a guardian by Pennsylvania courts.
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
The handbook from the Pennsylvania Bar Association provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (2016-2017) [PDF Format, 83 pages]
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. [PDF] (February 2018)
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Power of Attorney
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (August 2008)
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA.
Protections through Power of Attorney & Living Will (Video)
This is a videotaped Older & Wiser presentation by Attorney Joseph Olimpi of Neighborhood Legal Services Association, with sponsorship from State Representative Matt Smith. The presentation covers Protections through Power of Attorney & Living Will and was videotaped by Bethel Park Public Access Television.
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Living Wills/Health Care Powers of Attorney
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (August 2013)
Power of Attorney
Information on Power of Attorney from the Erie County Bar Association. (August 2018)
Advance Health Care Declarations (Living Wills)
Information on advance health care directives and living wills from the Erie County Bar Association
Health and Financial Decisions: Legal Tools for Preserving Your Personal Autonomy
Important information from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging on preserving your right to make decisions about your life. [PDF]
Making Medical Decisions for Someone Else
This booklet from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging describes in simple terms what it's like to be a health care proxy, what to do while there is still time to think about it, how to make the hard decisions, and where to get help. [PDF] (2009)
Consumer’s Tool Kit for Health Care Advance Planning
This tool kit from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging contains a variety of self-help worksheets, suggestions, and resources. There are 10 tools in all, each clearly labeled and user-friendly. The tool kit does not create a formal advance directive for you. Instead, it helps you do the much harder job of discovering, clarifying, and communicating what is important to you in the face of serious illness.
Guardianship
Information on legal guardianship from the Erie County Bar Association (August 22, 2018)
A Guide for Seniors and Their Families: Issues on Aging
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association [PDF]
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
The handbook from the Pennsylvania Bar Association provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (2016-2017) [PDF Format, 83 pages]
Living Will and Healthcare Power of Attorney
Free PA Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney endorsed by the Allegheny Bar Association and Allegheny County Medical Association. Download the Living Will and Health Care Power of Attorney Form. Included is a video introduction to living wills and a video step by step guide to using the free endorsed Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will form.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Protecting Yourself From Financial Exploitation
Information from the SeniorLAW Center (Philadelphia) on how to prevent financial exploitation. [PDF]
Mental Health Care Advance Directive
A Mental Health Advance Directive is a document that allows you to make your choices known regarding mental health treatment in the event that your mental illness makes you unable to make decisions. This packet provides information and forms to allow you to prepare documents to fit you needs regarding an advance directive. [PDF]
Guardian Tracking System (Video)
Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has released an educational video highlighting the Guardianship Tracking System (GTS), a new web-based system for guardians, court staff, Orphans’ Court clerks and judges to file, manage, track and submit reports. The video highlights how the new system will help protect adults of all ages who have been appointed a guardian by Pennsylvania courts.
Area Agencies on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is the front door for aging services in your community. Your AAA is staffed with skilled workers who can provide information about services and also assist in obtaining access to those services. Use this finder to locate the specific Area Agency on Aging that covers your county.
Financial Power of Attorney
This publication from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides general information about powers of attorney. [PDF] (February 2018)
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. [PDF] (February 2018)